Having read a fair bit in various websites and books about archery and having a longbowman for a father i've often wondered about just how technical a bow really is.
I decided a souple of weeks ago to see if i could make a very very simple bow with the minimum of work.
To make the bow I simply cut down a green sapling about 7ft long. It was a little over an inch and half circumference. The most important part of selection is choosing a piece of wood which already bends. If it doesn't already bend then you'll have to cut it in someway to make it do so which sort of defeats the point. I had a go at bending it to see which plane it wished to go in. it seemed that de-barking the stick was helpful as it shows the true size of the knots and kinks. I then cut knocks into it and borrowed a bowstring and arrows from my Dad's quiver.
This might not sound all that wonderful but bear in mind there were only 5 cuts made for the entire bow - top and bottom with a saw, 2 notches for knocks (cheatily backed up with a panel pin at 1 end;-) and a split in the bark so i oculd get my fingers under it.
It shot straight and would definitely be a lunch getter punching clean through boxes/plastic bins (faux rabbit) at 10m. The main problems were the arrows which where intended for a 50lb bow and only about 28" - My dad is some 7 inches shorter than I am.
I've loaded 1 pic here
Just thought you'd all like to see it. has anyone done anything similar?
I decided a souple of weeks ago to see if i could make a very very simple bow with the minimum of work.
To make the bow I simply cut down a green sapling about 7ft long. It was a little over an inch and half circumference. The most important part of selection is choosing a piece of wood which already bends. If it doesn't already bend then you'll have to cut it in someway to make it do so which sort of defeats the point. I had a go at bending it to see which plane it wished to go in. it seemed that de-barking the stick was helpful as it shows the true size of the knots and kinks. I then cut knocks into it and borrowed a bowstring and arrows from my Dad's quiver.
This might not sound all that wonderful but bear in mind there were only 5 cuts made for the entire bow - top and bottom with a saw, 2 notches for knocks (cheatily backed up with a panel pin at 1 end;-) and a split in the bark so i oculd get my fingers under it.
It shot straight and would definitely be a lunch getter punching clean through boxes/plastic bins (faux rabbit) at 10m. The main problems were the arrows which where intended for a 50lb bow and only about 28" - My dad is some 7 inches shorter than I am.
I've loaded 1 pic here
Just thought you'd all like to see it. has anyone done anything similar?