Talk about A BowNut

ber643 · June 26, 2011, 08:25:00 AM

I am such a bownut that I can't even resist when I get the chance to pick up one of those inventive little PVC bows folks make (so easily and inexpensively) for real little beginners. Especially when they show extra effort put into decorations, to catch the fancy of the "Tiny Archers", as these two obviously do.

I picked one up at the Flea Market yesterday (Right) to add to one from a yard sale (left) a while back. Notice the difference in Foam tipped arrows, stored inside the tubes.

Here they are with the arrows withdrawn and placed beside the bows. Oh yeah, price? The one yesterday I know cost a whole dollar. As i recall the Red one was also that same price. Someday, some little tyke will play with them again and start on the enjoyable journey of a lifelong love of traditional archery.

Doc Nock · June 26, 2011, 08:34:00 AM

NOw...that's cool.

I saw some instructions years back (here?) on how to build a PVC bow to help cure TP. Made one for a buddy. But how did they attach the string to yours?

My recollection was a bolt thru the end area..preventing sliding arrows down inside. Cute idea.

Write me and share, Pappy!

Cromm · June 26, 2011, 08:57:00 AM

They are great.

Jake Diebolt · June 26, 2011, 06:33:00 PM

That brings back memories of my brother and I's first bow...

My dad climbed a tree, cut off a couple lengths of limb, notched some places for a string, and tied the strings onto, literally, a bent stick. Then he gave us some kinda straight sticks with a notch in the end for arrows and let us go nuts in our grandparents backyard.

Considering he works in the plastics industry, I think my Dad would give the PVC bows a big thumbs up!

GRINCH · June 26, 2011, 06:39:00 PM

Bernie they should make some kid very happy.

Huntingnut · June 26, 2011, 06:45:00 PM

I may have to make one of those for my son.Pretty cool!

Cyclic-Rivers · June 26, 2011, 08:55:00 PM

I made two, one for my nephew and his best friend.

Great little bows

ber643 · June 27, 2011, 07:03:00 AM

The "funny" part is they shoot pretty good. Any stout cord is a "string" for them. You can whip one out in no time to get 'em shooting (and save the fancy-ing up for later). The PVC is 1/2"

Doc, a good question to bring up, both of these two just have had a slit about 1/2" sawed (probably hack or coping saw)across both walls on each end. The string has a knot tied near both ends and is just slipped into both slits, catching on the off-side outside wall (if ya know what I mean). The arrows can still slide in either side of the string, and that makes enough surface tension on the arrows to hold them in place.

It's a good idea to unstring the PVC bow when not in use, IMO. The set taken by the PVC (if not) doesn't seem to effect the "cast" of the little bows much but I notice (from these) it can induce a curve in some of the little arrows that have to be addressed - LOL

I remember reading instructions and other threads and mentions about these neat bows since being into trad archery but I don't recall there being much about the arrows. That helped this old duffer recognize them when I saw them - LOL. After I picked up the red one it was after i unstrung it that I realized there was an arrow "secreted in one end - DUH! One thing that stuck in my (faulty) memory was that it seems some group or individual used to make a bunch up (for some shoot/rendezvous) and hand them out on a regular basis somewhere, as I recall.

Seems like a neat thing for clubs, etc. to consider - think how frequently we see youngsters at shoots (or in back yards) that aren't ready to handle even the small, light bows of their older siblings/playmates. Most anyone can draw one of these, yet they "toss" an arrow pretty darned
good.

These bows are 36' and 40", arrows are 16-17", Nock is just sawed slit, and as you can see, sans fletching, though those could be added if you wanted to go further, or when ready, I guess.

Thanks for looking, guys.