Recent content by Gyro

Not fair: I can't see any of the pictures !

Aaah, I normally cheat on arrows, and buy the shafts ready-spined for my bows. Normally these are Chris Boynton pine. Depending on the strength/weight of the bow, you have quite a lot of choice. Many arrows found on the Mary Rose were oak ...... Yeah, Snufkin, 62" is quite short for a 55lb...

Thankfully, I've never SEEN it explode, but the biggest draw weight I've made with it has 'only' been 55 lb over 6 ft, so maybe not too risky ....

Easiest way to start with longbow making is to use lemonwood. It's pretty easy to obtain, is very forgiving, and there's hardly any grain you have to worry about. Of all the lemonwood longbows I've made, NONE of them have broken (unless somebody hasn't told me!) Backing the bow with a strip...

I made one a couple of years ago, from a design in a book I have by an experienced bowyer. If you want any dimensions or info; give me a shout. Technically speaking, a flatbow is more efficient than a lonbgbow, and I found it to be more straightforward in terms of the 'shaping'. It was a...

Agree with Snufkin; it would probably be more suitable for a flatbow. If you're going for a longbow design, that's fine as I've seen quite a few sycamore/maple ones (never shot one though), but it would be a good idea to back it with a strip of hickory or something. I've just got an ash stave...

Do I need to be in a club to enter the clout comp ? My club in Cromer is fine; it's just finding the time that's the problem .. ! (Although, they're mainly 'modern' rather than traditional. For a while, I was the only one with a lngbow..)

I'm in Norfolk, and have only shot (past tense at present, unfortunately) at my local archery club in Cromer. As of yet, I've not entered any competitions. Thinking about popping down to the Oyster fayre at Colchester next year though, and would love to do a clout shoot one time, but I don't...

It works then !

2 earlier bows. Both self-bows (Lemonwood, obv.) Both around the 40 lb mark :-

Last bow I made: Lemonwood, backed with hickory, 50 lb draw weight :-

Does this work then ?

Right, I'll concentrate harder then .... ! Cheers.

I don't have any options to attach pics, just all them smilies that annoy me ... ! Is it because I'm new here ? And how long does it take until I'm allowed to add photos ?

BigShot; Lemonwood is a great way to start, as you can pretty much ignore any grain issues as the wood is so tight and compact. Just concentrate on the shaping and tillering, and you can get some decent results. There are some good 'designs' in a book called The Traditional Archers Handbook...