Hi all! How is everyone doing? I'm a newbie to archery. I've never hunted or shot a bow until recently(testing recureves to find the correct draw) and do not own my own bow yet (Debating on getting a samick sage or building a selfbow).

I have always been fascinated by traditional archery and was thinking about building my first self bow. After some research, I ordered Jim Hamm's Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1-4.

I am located in Kansas City and am not sure where to start with acquiring the right wood to start. Many recommend against Osage Orange because it requires chasing down a growth ring and go with hickory instead. What do you all think?

Thanks in advance, I have a lot to learn but it is going to be an awesome adventure!

Raf

I'm not the guy to talk to about self-bows, but welcome to Tradgang....it is an awesome place.

Hi there-Hap

Welcome to the gang. My wife's family lives in Great Bend Kansas.

welcome....

Welcome!

Welcome to the gang!

Welcome, check out "The Bowyer's Bench" forum on the main forum page for answers about self bows.  

Welcome

Pull up a seat

Welcome!
My first bow was an Osage Charcter/Spirit Bow, crooked limbs and all!  No one told me I couldn't build it, and its still shooting many years later.  Oh I've had failures since, but most were due to rushing the bow.  Just take your time and go slow.  When you feel rushed or antsy about it, just put it up for a while.  Come back and work it when all feels right.
Jusnt my 2 cents.
Johnny/JAG

Buy a semi finished stave.  The rings already chased and she's ready to start shaping and tillering.    Look up Gary Davis.

I know that you're in KS, but there is an article in this month's Missouri Conservationist about building self bows with some good info...  track somebody down on this side of the river and give it a look...

Besides that....

WELCOME!

Rodd

Welcome.  Had my first hunt today with my first self-bow, Osage. No kill but a great hunt. No harm in buying a used bow on the cheap to get started and then focusing on building one yourself.  It's all fun. Head over to the bowyers bench and they will get you on the right track. Should be lots of Osage near you.

WELCOME...enjoy the ride.

welcome! great people and great advise here.

thanks for the warm welcome guys! Looking forward to learning a lot from everyone!

Rodd, I am actually from Kansas City MO and moved to Overland Park, KS recently but all of my family are in MO. I was actually reading the MO conservation mag, its a great article really!

x2 on checking out "The Bowery's Bench". I bought a cheap recurve to play with when working on my first bow. Getting a partially worked bow is a good idea too.

Welcome!

Welcome to traditional archery. You will have a great time w/your new sport but we should warn you it is addictive.
Hickory was indeed easier for me, but doesn't mean you can't take on osage. Do your homework and hook up w/ a bowyer. They are good people.
If you know someone in the Michigan Longbow Association, we've been running a step by step series in STICKTALK magazine by Matt Wirwicki on making a longbow. Very informative.
Good luck and have fun!

welcome aboard