Bowmaking materials.

[Yggdrasil]

I have been interested in bows for a while now and have recently decided i want to make one. I have found infomation on the net but if anyone could post me a good link then i would be very greatful.
My main question isnt so much what wood to use but where to get it from. Is it right/ legal to be taking large enough staves from yew trees etc or would i have to buy the staves?
If so does anyone know where to look?
I am new to the forum so please forgive me if this has been asked before.

~yggdrasil~

 

[Tony]

There's some keen bowmen on the forum so it will not be long before you have an answer to this, Chris, Rob and others will be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[Rob]

Hi

As with cutting any wood, you will need to have landowners permission. I have been known to tap up some tree surgeons with the promise of a couple of pints in return for bits of yew that may be suitable. Otherwise it usually just gets turned into mulch.

I would recommend that you cut your bowyer teeth on a material like ash though. If you can get hold of copies of the Bowyers Bible you will find some good ideas and information there. Staves are also available comercially from people like Quicks (www.quicks.com). Once you have gained some practical experience, then maybe let yourself loose on some Yew

I have a feeling that there will be some bow making at the BCUK Bushmoot at the end of May (and there will be a few people with experience attending - and Chris C is a fountain of knowledge waiting to be guzzled from).

Hope that helps.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Thanks very much rob thats really helpful. i hope to get to the moot and i will have so much to ask.

~yggdrasil~

 

[ESpy]

I'll have a look - one of the ash trees is due for removal, so I'll see if the grain looks straight enough to bring it along.

 

[R-Bowskill]

Keep your eyes open for things like building developments where trees might be removed, also try contacting groups like BCTV and nature reserves / conservation bodies. Sometimes when they're thinning out trees or coppicing woodland etc they are glad of someone who can make use of a few bits for doing something. Often You might have to do a day or twos volunteering to get in with the people but that shouldn't be a problem. If you're doing the work you can put suitable pieces to one side and being in a wood should be fun.

 

[greg2935]

You don’t so much build a bow as carve one out in the sense that you have to follow the grain of the wood, it is almost impossible to find good quality Yew in the UK, the best Yew now comes from the US where the weather allows the trees to grow faster and straighter, even then it is very expensive and hard to work: bare in mind a Yew stave does not guarantee a better bow: there is always a chance the bow will fail. In the UK, Quicks (http://www.quicks.com) are good even though the owner is a miserable old sod with the patience of a very angry man, some of the American sellers are very good and specialise in getting good quality yellowwoods, ash etc (don’t try Osage as it is also a difficult wood, makes very nice bows though). Have a look at http://www.buildabow.com/
http://www.woodbows.com
http://www.raptorarchery.com
http://www.missouritrading.com.
I have had problems in the past getting staves shipped to the UK from the US, it is handy to just ship them to a friend in the US who ships them onto you as a gift. Customs also can have an annoying tendency to try and charge you import duty.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I can only reitterate Rob's recommendation of The Traditional Bowyer's Bibles, Vol 1 is a must have, and Vol 2 has some very good info on making bows from boards (which I wish I had had when I make my first bow from a hickory plank). The Leatherwall on www.stickbow.com is pretty good, but doesn't have picture tutorials.

Some timber yards carry ash or hardrock sugar maple planks which can make good bows if you are careful with your sellection. For real peace of mind when making board bows, get some heavy linen cloth and use water resistant PVA glue to stick a strip down the back

If you can come to the Moot that will be the best thing. There will be someone there showing how to make ash flatbows, I will have a few of my slightly odd bows along, Rob will be doing archery.

Look forward to seeing you there.

(Rob, your fountain analogy .......)

 

[bothyman]

This Forum could be of help

>> http://www.xsorbit4.com/users/buildabow/index.cgi

 

[Spacemonkey]

Woodcraft School do a bow making course over the August Bank Holiday for about £250. This year they are doing the 'English' Longbow and could have sold the course out 3x over... Luckily, I'm on the course...! This will cover making arrows as well, and some archery practice, which is handy as the longbow is a different beasty alltogether from my old compound.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Im really hoping i get a lot on the topic from people at the moot next weekend. I cant wait to learn the craft.
Do many of you own bows you either bought or made? if so where do u shoot them?

~yggdrasil~

 

[demographic]

Mmm, this thread reminds me that I have a 7 foot length of greenheart in the shed.

Must have a bash at making something with it

 

[Ogri the trog]

Yggdrasil,
Greg is right, UK grown yew is pretty poor for bow making, unless you're willing to join in the handle and/or have a croocked bow. A longbowman in a club I used to shoot at made a very serviceable bow out of an ash rake handle bought from a garden centre. I have a few staves of lemonwood seasoning in the shed for when I get the inclination to continue the tillering. I still have four longbows and a compound bow.
Be prepared for some hiccups along the way, but so long as you learn from every mistake - it won't be long until you have a good enough bow.

As to shooting them, it makes a lot of sense to join a club as they can teach you good technique and safety aspects. If you don't join a club, you'll need landowners permission to shoot on his land - be aware that bow hunting has been illegal in the UK for many years, so target shooting is your only choice!

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Yggdrasil]

Thanks ogri thats good advice.

~yggdrasil~

 

[greg2935]

Don't forget roving, one of my favorite sports, long long since consigned to history but an excellent day outdoors, basically you wander over the countryside with friends aiming for posts, a leaf, whatever. Basically just a days walk, with a little shooting, use common sense though, dont fire through places you cannot see, you will get my sport banned and I will get very annoyed.

 

[Bardster]

I make longbows from ash boards from my local woodyard. Just select those with a good straightish grain. The benefit of ash is you dont have to worry too much about following the grain and an ash board can be had for about £10 - enough for 2 or 3 bows. I shall be bringing my tools and some billets to the may meet if any one is interested. I can also show string making.

 

[Adge]

Ordered the Traditonal Bowyers Bible today

*Rubs hands with glee*

I'm a passable fletcher, but havent found the timber to learn to make bows on yet.

I have a longbow made from English Yew, and while its not as pretty as American Yew, and is pretty lumpy because of the knots etc it still shoots beautifully.

 

[Rob]

Im really hoping i get a lot on the topic from people at the moot next weekend. I cant wait to learn the craft.
Do many of you own bows you either bought or made? if so where do u shoot them?

~yggdrasil~

Try having a look at www.nfas.net (National Field Archery Society) there are a fwe clubs in your are that will be able to set you out in the right direction

 

[C_Claycomb]

I have a longbow made from English Yew, and while its not as pretty as American Yew, and is pretty lumpy because of the knots etc it still shoots beautifully.

Ooooo....are you coming to the meet-up next weekend, can you bring it along?

 

[Yggdrasil]

This thread shows exactly why this forum beats other forums. I ask a question and loads of you help and give me brilliant advice.
Thankyou.

~yggdrasil~