By dave brewer, a friends of archaeology volunteer. A basic method for making self bows 1 find a nice, straight limb about 5 or 6 feet long, preferably dead and standing of locust, mulberry or osage. Selfbows are wooden bows with no laminations in the limbs. Each swiftwood bow is a unique piece of art, but it is also a functional and deadly weapon that will stand up to the abuse of a long hunt, shoot true at the range and will turn peoples heads as a center piece on the mantle. The topics range from the beginnings to the end cutting and curing wood through building a self bow of almost any type and finishing it. Our goal is to provide you with the best in traditional archery, primitive archery, self bows, self bow classes, and all the traditional archery equipment and supplies you could want. Our collection here is for educational and scholarly purposes, to be used by archers interested in traditional archery, honing their archery skills, and bow arrow making. Sep 24, 2017 kev newton from asi, features australian self bow timber, finished bows and a portable shave horse design for making self bows. These bows mirror the construction and detail of the original classic 1953 thunderbird recurves designed and built by my father glenn st. I know 2 former disciples of mine being now full time bowyers, about 10 being part time bowyers, quite a lot of them making bows and selling them via ebay or flee markets or instructing bow classes. Beginning of a dialog window, including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account. The topics range from the beginnings to the end cutting and curing wood through building a selfbow of almost any type and finishing it. The whipperwhil team is passionate about their work and striving to learn more about our craft. This site shows some of the bows ive made, with some hints, tips and my bowyers blog which is the main source of info if you are making a bow.
Making longbows, self wood primitive bows and other related archery based activity. Let us consider some of the kinds of self understanding we might achieve through the exercises in this book. However self bows must be long, approximately the height of the archer if they are to allow a long draw, and they are less efficient in the specialized art of flight archery. This completely handson workshop will take you through the entire progression of building your very own self bow. Self bows are wooden bows with no laminations in the limbs. Ottoman bows are reflex and recurved composite bows like the other bows of central asian origin. The art of making selfbows by stim wilcox, paperback barnes. Its easy to get started building your own bows from wood but the many tools available may be a bit confusing for a newcomer to the craft.
C waldorf free epub, mobi, pdf ebooks download, ebook torrents download. Aztec word from mexico was the primary hunting weapon. All materials including bow stave are included in your class fee. I make self bows unbacked bows typically from one piece of wood or bows backed with natural materials such as rawhide, snake skins, sinew, etc. As i have already indicated, my concern in the art of self discovery is more global. Self osage orange and yew, osage orange and yew backed with various. The art of making selfbows by stim wilcox is a well written and illustrated book on making osage selfbows. If ash or hickory wood, cut green and dried indoors is best. Tillering the art of changing a piece of wood into a bow. Selfbows are bows entirely made from one piece of wood. Self bows are carved from a single piece of wood the wood itself. Probably the best rasp in my tool box for making bows is the universal bowyers rasp, also called the ubr10, designed and sold by dean torges.
Today, with the help of, were going to do our part to revive the lost art of self reliance and share with you 25 forgotten skills of the pioneers. Taught by adventure out owner cliff hodges, with occasional visits from guest instructors, this class will explore each step of bow making so that you go home not only with a shooting, huntworthy bow, but the skills and knowhow to build your own bows starttofinish. Self bows are as simple as it gets, yet surprisingly difficult. Huntprimitive offers many different styles of primitive bows and specializes in custom orders. Please contact me if you want to know what i currently have seasoned and ready to work. Making a full size compound bow aluminum riser powerful. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. We specialize in self bows, long bows, flat bows, and recurve bows. Practical self reliance is a personal blog and a womanowned small. Each bow has a certain uniqueness to it and carries characteristics unlike any other bow. Pdf in history man used bows which differ much in shape as well as applied materials. English longbow, the work is done as if with straightened.
Every bow i make is unique with its own character and feel. The art of making selfbows the art of making selfbows by stim wilcox is a well written and illustrated book on making osage selfbows. Self bows are made of a single material, usually wood figure 1. Browse through all of my models and choose which one is right for you. Beginning with a barkon stave, you will learn what to look for when selecting your materials, and different ways to successfully remove the bark. This comprehensive and easy to follow bood is great for beginners and experienced bowyers alike. This book is meant to be understandable and fun to use. Jun 25, 2009 the art of making selfbows stim wilcox on. It is self bows bows made from one piece of timber rather than laminated which are my main passion. Were going to discuss some of the more popular modern tools for making selfbows.
For those enamored with the simple beauty of the wooden bow, there is nothing like a self bow. Prior to the advent of the bow and arrow, the atlatl an aztec word from mexico was the primary hunting weapon. Learn the art of making primitive bows and arrows like our ancestors. Bonus chapters on building strings, arrows, and quivers. Made of wood mainly of acer species, sinew, horn and glue this bow is the shortest one among its relatives and is measured only 41 to 44 inches.
The text covers tools and woods for bow making, a simple self bow, bow designs, sinew backing, making a bow string, making arrows and quivers. Covers terminology, tools, bow woods, and bow designs. Also covers sinew backing, snakeskins, handle covers, and finishes. Self bows are as simple as it gets, yet surprisingly difficult to create. A self bow or simple bow is a bow made from a single piece of wood. Self bows are made from a single, individually selected stave of wood. Kev newton from asi, features australian self bow timber, finished bows and a portable shave horse design for making self bows. Prior to the advent of the bow and arrow, the atlatl an. Charles thunderbird 1953 classic recurve link classics in stock. From novice to tricks of the trade advanced techniques. Custom made selfbows and arrows whipperwil archery usa.
Since these legends have passed on to the happy hunting grounds there have been many advances in the field of archery. With this length it can only be compared with the korean bow. It is the only book on making bows in my library that contains color illustrations of any number. These bows are styled upon a traditional english longbow which were made from timbers such as yew, ash and oak. Derek hutchison native wood self bows crossbow concept,crossbow tips,crossbow hunter,crossbow rack,crossbow target quail hunting is one of the top sports for those on the upper crust of society. Genghis kahn, robin hood, and art young are just a sample of the great names associated with the stick and string. Scythian bow from xinjang adam karpowicz and stephen selby first published in the journal of the soc. Instructions on how to make longbow and wooden arrows, yew bows and laminated. The art of making selfbows contains over 200 full color illustrations. Our first love here at pine hollow longbows is traditional archery. All of the archery books historical documents found below can also be found for free on and similar free pdf websites.
A basic method for making self bows information on making a primitive self bow using osage orange or other hardwood. But part of the reason it is so expensive is also one of the best reasons to own the book the color illustrations. The native americans in the southwestern united states did not begin using bow and arrow technology until about 1,500 years ago. Each stave is selected for its quality and straight grain, to ensure that the finished bow looks and performs efficiently and with accuracy. Before you go, watch these two videos of lifeordeath situations. We believe in a bow building process which allows us to listen to the wood. Valerie waldorfs many photographs and plan drawings illustrate the book. Welldesigned composite bows of high drawweight give higher arrow velocity, and the bow itself is shorter. Pdf the cut and try method in the design of the bow 1. Self bows must be approximately the height of the archer if they are to allow a long draw, and they are less efficient in the specialized art of flight archery. The essentials of archery, how to use and make bows and arrows is an. Archery library of books on pdf archery toronto equipment. Our passion is in is crafting longbows and flatbows from pacific yew. Bow making workshop adventure out survival training.