roughing out bows with an ax/hatchet

[jstason]

So I've been lurking on here since I finished my first bow last year and I'm hoping to start my second sometime in the near future. Since I don't have ready access to a band saw I was wondering what type of axe/hatchet to use to rough out a bow, or if there is a better tool out there to get the job done?

thanks -Jack

[briarjumper12]

Since I first learned to use an axe I haven't looked back. Really quick to rough one out.  I was using a cheap hatchet. But I recently got hold of a Gransfors Bruks Swedish Carving axe.  That thing is awesome. I also use it for roughing out spoons.

[Crogacht]

I just have an old hatchet made in west germany, nice and sharp. It's fairly light and the blade is probably narrower than most which is good, but I will likely get a carpenters hatchet at some point.

If I was rich, then I'd get a real nice one, but otherwise a cheap one is fine.

[4dog]

i use this...found it under a house i was working on.

[jstason]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, those are both nice axes. I tried convincing my parents to let me get a band saw but they don't see it as a worthy investment of my money (pffff what do they know  ) so this seemed like the next logical step

[RyanR]

I use a Estwing hatchet. The same company that makes quality hammers. You can get them at your local lumber yard.

[George Tsoukalas]

I use an old hand axe. Never used a bandsaw on a bow. Jawge

[JW_Halverson]

Short answer: A sharp one.

No joke, you will use less effort and have fewer mishaps.

[huisme]

These are literally all the tools I've used for the past few bows I built.


The machete does the roughing and a lot of the scraping since my vice is on loan, and honestly I like not using the vice.

[JW_Halverson]

Don't pass over a shovel, either, for roughing out bows. 

I once roughed out a hickory stave with a Cold Steel E-tool at a Bushcrafter event.  That has to be the wickedest and most dangerous shovel ever made!  I love it.

[DuBois]

I have been using a cheapo camping hatchet lately since my larger hand axe handle bit the dust. I kinda like the smaller one now though. I saw one at the second hand store just like that 4Dog pic. Might have to go get it.

I use a Estwing hatchet. The same company that makes quality hammers. You can get them at your local lumber yard.

Can't break that handle now can ya? 

[Joec123able]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, those are both nice axes. I tried convincing my parents to let me get a band saw but they don't see it as a worthy investment of my money (pffff what do they know  ) so this seemed like the next logical step

A bandsaw is totally unnecessary in bow making if you have patience hand tools will work fine for ya.

[Bryce]

A good sharp, sturdy, well made hatchet is worth it's weight in gold.

[bowsandroses]

I really like my broad hatchet, edge bevel on one side flat on the other heavy and super sharp.

[Traxx]

Ill second what briarjumper12 said.

I grew up using hatchets and axes in my work.I thought i knew what a great ax or hatchet was,untill i got a Gransfors Bruks.