Building a TRADitional B0W

by **Indian Summer** » 03 13, 2013 • [Post 1]

I've been wanting to build a bow for a long time. Pa has a huge number of tradtional archery guys who, like elk nuts, love to share their passion.

Last year I bought my materials, osage billets and some bamboo, but wasn't able to get it together with them.

Last Sunday I went over at about 8 am... and didn't leave until 7 pm! The guy who's house we met at was the only elk hunter in the bunch. He hunts Idaho & even knew of ElkNut. Anyway I'm really excited about it and can't wait do some hunting with a reflex/deflex bow.

Here is the Z splice. Two sections (billets) of sage are cut and then spliced together in the center. You can start with a one piece stave but it's harder to get a long piece that is without flaws.

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Then we take the bamboo and run it through the planer several times until it is thin and flat. Trace a pattern on, cut on the bandsaw, and sand to the line. The billets are slightly tapered to the tips on the planer as well. After that we laminate the two with epoxy and clamp it up for 24 hours.

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You can see where we pegged the boo to the wood by drilling small holes and using toothpicks so it doesn't slide when being clamped. Now I'll bandsaw the wood down to the babmboo backer. More on that bow later.

by **Indian Summer** » 03 13, 2013 • [Post 2]

Here's the bow ready to be trimmed and then tillered etc etc. Also a self bow called "True Grit" also made of osage and backed with sinew. Beaver tail grip and rabbit fur string silencers. 45 pounds at 28 inches.

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Cutting staves to build self bows.

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Getting ready to glue up layers for a glass laminate recurve. Man those boys taught me alot in 1 day. It's going t be more fun now that I have a diamond in the rough ready to be finished. I'm already fired up to build the next one.

by **buglmin** » 03 13, 2013 • [Post 3]

Sir, that is so so cool...man I bet you cant wait to shoot it...nice sir, nice

by **>>>---WW---->** » 03 13, 2013 • [Post 4]

That's really cool Joe. You're going to enjoy that new bow.

by **RockChucker30** » 03 14, 2013 • [Post 5]

I'd love to build my own longbow. Tools, knowledge, and lack of time keep me from trying. Thanks for the pics!

by **ElkNut1** » 03 14, 2013 • [Post 6]

Nice work Joe. For some reason I've never had a desire to build one but I'm glad you are. Is it mostly just for fun?

ElkNut1

by **Indian Summer** » 03 14, 2013 • [Post 7]

Building it is for fun and to learn. I'll build more. As far as the purpose of the bow... I intend to hunt with it. I'm going to work this one down to 45 lbs at 28. I'll use it for everything from rabbits to deer at close range. The next one will be my elk bow. The guy gluing up the glass l am recurve hunts strictly traditional for elk. They use some stands as well as regular techniques. Are you still hunting with a traditional bow Paul?

by **ElkNut1** » 03 14, 2013 • [Post 8]

Joe, I haven't hunted with trad gear for 3 years now, I keep threatening to but haven't, does that count? (grin) Your new bow sounds very nice, very good poundage too!

ElkNut1

by **Broken arrow** » 03 16, 2013 • [Post 9]

It is addicting!!!!

Very nice bow so far can't wait to see it finished! Here is a my last one.
Board bow maple with hickory backing oak riser and walnut overlays 49# @ 28"