Introduction

[Ineseno]

Hi Trad Gang
I am new here. I want to introduce myself and thank you all. I have used this site as a resources for some time, and finally joined the conversation.
I don't know how this works. Please forgive my ignorance. I have never participated in a forum before.

I started making bows when I was a child.
Now I have two young boys, and their desire to shoot and learn has me  back at the bench, wondering why I've been away so long.
I grew up in Washington State. Learned to make bows from yew, service berry, and oceanspray. I am learning to use the local woods here in Santa Barbara county Ca. Different game for sure.
Over the last year I have built and busted several bows.
I have a few questions to workshop with the crowd. I will follow up.

Cheers
   

[Pine]

Welcome from Michigan 

Many knowledgeable people here to help.

[Pat B]

Welcome to Trad Gang. Looking forward to seeing some of your bows. Sorry, I can't help you with local woods in Santa Barbara. Maybe look for lumber companies that sell specialty woods. You might find juniper in the mountains.

[Ineseno]

Her are a couple of the bows finished recently.

Kids Bows:
Big one. Elderberry sapling, black locust handle, antler overlays. 53 ntn 20# at 20"
I broke at least 3 pieces of elderberry over the last year. It is very light, and very fast, but weak in compression. Better tillering saved this one, and it shoots really well. I originally thought i could make it shoot for me, but it is simply asking to much of the 53".

little one. Scrub oak, 45" 12# at 18"
This wood is incredible. This bow is made from a scrap split off another larger stave. It had a natural D curve recurve shape so my son and i really leaned into that design. we clamped it down with some spacers and got after it with the heatgun. It stuck. It is a delight to shoot.

[Pat B]

Nice bows. I like the braced profile of both. Can we see full draw pics?