Tomgunz, I'll give you some information and I'm sure Pappy will add more. Pappy and I are the two in the club most involved with the bow making part of the shoot. The actual Tn. Classic May shoot is for traditional equipment only...longbows, recurves, and selfbows all without use of sights. As a side event of the shoot, we have what we call the Selfbow Challenge.
Basically the "Challenge" is starting out with an untillered bow stave (tillering is the process of thinning and balancing the limbs basically to a finished bow) without string notches cut in it, and over the three day weekend make a bow and shoot the tournament with the new bow. It is a special class in that you're only competing against others that have made bows during the "Challenge". You can bring your own bow stave, or purchase one from the club for a small amount while they last. We've had people start out with a split log that has to be worked all the way through to a finished bow, to actually starting with a roughed in bow stave (no string notches). With the short amount of time available, I would recommend having the bow roughed in without notches cut if possible to start off with.
We have probably a dozen or so vises/work benches with some tools such as rasps and scrappers for loan while they last. We have strings pre-made of various lengths. There are several band saws that mainly Pappy and I use as needed during the event. We attempt to help and give direction all we can, but it gets pretty busy at times when perhaps half the people have never made a bow. For those experienced bowyers, if you have room please bring some of your own equipment such as benches/vises, tools, etc. as we do have a limited supply. For the most part all is under roof though open air, and their are lights...we've had people working on bows well past midnight before!
What we strive to accomplish is that at minimum everyone has a good time, and new folks to bow making leave with a much better understanding of the bow making process. For some it may be their only involvement with the sport, but we've had a lot of people start a new and enjoyable hobby from this event. I'm one of them myself from five years ago! I had been shooting traditional equipment for close to twenty years, but had never made a bow. Now I enjoy the bowmaking as much as I have a life time of hunting with bows.
We have vendors at this shoot selling traditional supplies, so you should be able to purchase any accessories you need. There is a practice coarse with set distances (bales), as well as a free 3D 20 target course better then many clubs main courses. Also have the main course of the actual shoot involving I think 40 targets. Primitive camping is available at the club, 1st come 1st serve. We also have concession's including breakfast and lunch. There is a potluck dinner with a lot of wild game on Saturday night, also country musicians that night around the concessions area.
Few people actually completely finish a bow during the event such as properly sealing the bow, grip, etc. But the majority of people have gotten their bows tillered and shooting so that they can shoot the tournament. We give direction on how to totally complete any bows not finished. I'm sure I've missed something, Pappy knows all the details much better then I do. But I hope I've given you and anyone interested at least an idea of what we're offering. Hope to see you in May!
p.s. There is information about the Tn. Classic in PA including Pappy's phone # for further details.
