How to Make a Wood Self Bow, Part 2. (Roughing out the Bow)
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- A step by step how-to series on making a primitive style self bow from a yew stave. These videos will walk you though the entire process of making an effective and beautiful bow. The bow that I am making in the video is Pacific yew but the design and process could easily work for many other kinds of bow woods such as hickory, Osage orange, Eastern hop hornbeam, etc.In this video I'm roughing out the bow with a hatchet and draw knife.
Very useful video, thanks for sharing. Great help for novices like me. Cheers, Mick
Thanks for doing this. Looking forward to the rest of the series
You're welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying my videos.
Swiftwood Bows got part 3 almost ready? lol
Ha, I have it filmed. Just need to edit it. Hold your horses!
Swiftwood Bows I'll try! Today I looked at a lot of yew, I'm lucky enough to live where it grows. I think I've got a good candidate picked.
Awesome! If you have any questions about the stave, let me know.
Hi there thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge, also I have a question please, I have an English yew Steve about seven feet long, dead straight unbelievably but only about two inches in diameter and was going to have a go at making my first bow but have noticed the sap wood is thicker than the heart wood. Firstly what is the rule if I decide to reduce the sap wood? Secondly will it still make a strong enough bow if I leave it with little heart wood? Thanks again.
I would definitely reduce the sapwood. You want your bow to be mostly heartwood. I like to have a 1/4" of sapwood. You can mark a line along the side of the sapwood at a 1/4" and then use a draw knife to take off the extra on top, being careful to keep in consistent. It's ok to violate the rings on yew as long as the thickness is pretty consistent. So get the sapwood thin, clean it up with a scraper and sandpaper and then carry on to make a nice bow.
@@SwiftwoodBows thanks very much for eliminating much tryle and error.
Hi. a suggestion: introduce yourself by name at the start of each video.
I am really learning a lot on this series. thank you.
What would you say is the best way to remove the point on the belly of the bow, using just hand tools?
Hmm, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "the point on the belly of the bow". Can you clarify?
Swiftwood Bows I harvested the stave myself, so the belly of the bow comes to a point or triangular shape. I’ve heard of other people taking it off with the bandsaw, but I don’t have access to one. I’m wondering if a hatchet would be a little too dangerous.
Looks like he knows what he's doing,.........I draw out my bow,........and use an angle grinder,...... with a rubber backing and a sanding disc and I can do a bow in 20 minute's.
And also I do the wood green,..... because its easier,.........then I clamp it in place for 1-3 year's with a few coats of linseed oil on it so it dries slowly and clamp it in place so it don't warp.
I don't bend the bows,... in the direction it will be drawn,......until the wood has dried and I'm tillering the bow.
But,....all people do it their own way and they learn from their mistake's.
I just clamp it to a pic-nic table and grind the bow out.
Even doing it the safe way making a bow is a lot of work.
Especially if you have to remove the sap wood from the back.
I don't use woods that you remove wood from the back,.....I know how,...I just don't.
I prefer to bamboo back bows and do it that way for a better bow.
I'd recommend Pine Hollow Longbows for any supply's you may need.
But on the net you may also find others.
Hey, I am following your video while building hickorey flat bow. How sharp is your draw knife. I'm taking off much thinner shavings and wondering if has to do with the sharpness of blade or the fact that its hickorey?
I try to keep my drawknives fairly sharp. especially working with a tough wood like hickory. Hickory is definitely hard to work with hand tools. I'd say just try sharpening your draw knife and see if it helps.
I would keep a sharp knife it's just the hard hickory
Hi Weylin.
I have a question about drawknifes...In your experience, is a drawknife with a straight edge or curved edge preferred for bowmaking?
Love your vids, love your bows - keep up the fantastic work you are doing!
Thanks! I've only used straight draw knives and I've never found them wanting. I'm sure there are bowyers that use curved drawknives as well. I have a feeling that either would suit our purposes just fine. Let me know if you get a chance to use both.
Thanks you for your answer!
Was just curious, maybe I'll ask in some of the groups I know on facebook...Have not used either yet, but would like to hear someones experiences :) Good day to you.