I was thinking about making a long bow, and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips. I don't know what type of wood I should use or can use, was thinking about cherry or something that has a nice color wood grain. What do you think? Anything is helpful. Also, I was interested in building my own strings, does anyone know or have an idea where i can find plans for a continous loop string jig?
Don't know anything about cherry, have never used it. Are speaking of self bows or fiberglass laminated? If you're going to make your own bows learn to make a flemish twist string. It will serve much better than the endless loop string. woodsman
Bod ark/osage and yew is the best native American wood. Hackberry, locust, elm, oaks (white better than red), hickory (true and pecan), maple, as well as a host of others. Ive used them all. Cherry makes a fast light bow, but is hard to get a shooter out of. That is for organic bows. If you are making glass lam bows you can use any wood. The glass does all the work. As for advice that would depend on what you have in mind. Glass lam bows ( which are pretty easy),self bows, organic lam bows etc. then what style, long, recurve, elb, flat, reflexed, deflexed, reflex/deflexed,etc.ect... Id suggest touring the web and i bet you will find what you are looking for. You might even come across some of my build alongs. Ive done some step by step build alongs for self bows, boo backed organic lam bows, as well as others. Most are r/d style. I do not have any of the info I've posted but it is hosted at different sights. The info i posted was saved on a computer that was eat up with viruses. Actually, i think i did an bamboo backed, ipe, osage tri lam build along on this site. If i recall correctly it was one of my designs with a heavy reflex and a slight deflex. Oh, and about strings, i agree with the flemish strings. Endless loop are easy to make but the flemish is even easier, less time consuming and the jig is easier to make and use,
Thanks for the advice. I actually already know how to make a flemish string, the reason why i asked about continuous loop string is so I could make both for my traditionals, and my compounds.
Actually made my 1st selfbow outta Big leaf maple, not a good wood for bows. It turned out fairly good but twisted badly after awhile then cracked. It was good to learn with though. Next was told about hickory and it's forgiveness to the newbies. Love that wood. Anyway, some good advice was to not get discouraged by the piles of kindling ya make! As far as strings go, my 2 cents, go to youtube. I used the Flemish Jig for years, now I just wrap around 2 measured points and go. Much faster and easier. Good luck, and good shooting.
