Newbie to Bow Building, how to improve?

[Soggydog]

Well, I've recently finished up my first couple of bows, and I got to say, whoever said that Red Oak boards are the gateway wood is right. That being said, I took the bows out to the parking lot shooting range today, and I realized that I'm coming off the honeymoon period where I'm satisfied with everything that will throw an arrow a few feet. I want to eventually be able to build a good bow, one I'd be happy to give to a friend. That being said, limb twist, set, handshock, and bad tillering (amongst other things) have all plagued my early designs.

My question is, what would you recommend to an aspiring newbie bowyer for how to improve? I've read most of what I can find on the internet, and I hear TBBs is a recommended read, but I'm not entirely sure where a good place to look for them is. Additionally, I'm from Missouri (I'm studying at the University of Missouri- Columbia a.k.a. Mizzou) and was wondering if there's any events that go on in my neck of the woods. I've never actually seen a (semi)professionally made selfbow in person, so I know I've got quite a bit to learn!

-Shane

[sleek]

First off, dont stop, not that you would. You will learn every bow you make. Second, come to Ojam in 2 weeks. Its a big bow making event. So is Mojam, but thats in a few months, though being in Missouri, its closer that Ojam in Oklahoma. There is also marshal Michigan in 2 months.

Really man, there is no substitute for experience. Just keep making and checking bows on here for reference. And post pics of your work as you go, and past work if you want critique.

[DC]

+1

[Soggydog]

Thanks for the info. 'Fraid I won't be able to do OJAM though, I've got a trip to San Antonio with that week. I'll keep a mind out for Marshal, and I'm already set on seeing about trying to get to MOJAM if it's at all a possibility.

[Msturm]

You are doing it exactly right. Keep building. Keep building.Keep building. try your best to find a mentor.  I have been building bows for 7 years now and have not made one I am completely satisfied with. So I am right there with you!  Keep it up!!

[Morgan]

Soggy dog, the tbb’s are a very valuable resource. I’ve worn mine to rags and learned a lot from them. I believe you can buy them from the primitive archer site here. My wife ordered mine for my birthday several years back, but I don’t know where from.  All that said, this forum is every bit as good of a resource, probably better in ways.
If you haven’t already, look up Eric Krewson’s post here on making and using a tillering gizmo. It will help you out a lot. Most of my early bows were sluggish and had a fair bit of hand shock. What I found was that I was leaving the last 8” or so of the tips way way too thick. Lose weight at the ends of the limbs and you’ll lose shock if tillered well and your cast will get much better.
Just make lots of bows. Look at every bow posted here, and pay attention to the design. Pick a design that has a better than average chance of not failing due to stress, and make a lot of variations of that design until the performance is where you are satisfied and then move on to making it more pretty if that’s what you want.
Don’t get discouraged.

[Del the cat]

Develop a critical eye... don't just look at other bows, workmanship etc... make sure you really see it and understand it.
Review that first bow, look at every aspect critically.
The real craftsman looks at even his best work and thinks, maybe I could have...
Too many people these days look but don't see.
Listen to people who you know have the skills.
Your own skill with tools will improve with practice, but you can only be as good as your eye.
I've recently been working with a newbie helping him make his first bow, it's very revealing watching his skill and eye improve. He asks sensible questions and makes me actually think about some of the detail which I take for granted.
Del
PS. Don't be afraid of failure.
My latest Boo/Yew/Ipe crossbow prod shot at 201fps,  but lost 2fps every shot util it failed on the 8th  .
The important thing is the failure was different to the previous failures 
It's the quality of the failures that matters   

[BowEd]

+1.

[bjrogg]

Lots of good advice here. I agree with all of it, especially the keep on building and not being afraid to make and learn from your mistakes. Like Del said use your eyes, but use your fingers to. Feel the limb thickness. Close your eyes and lightly pinch your limb between your fingers sliding it up and down the limb. When you feel a thicker spot mark it and watch its bend. See if your eyes agree with your fingers. Also if you have any excess to wood start collecting it and preparing it for drying. You'll be amazed how much you can go through. As you improve you'll want some new tools and cauls for straightening staves , inducing reflex and recurveing tips. Might as well make them sooner than later. You can always experiment bending scrape wood instead of that bow that's so nice you Don't Want To Give It To Your Friend lol. Most of all keep it fun and start out conservative until you get the basics down. Then later you can challenge yourself with more risky designs.
Post pictures and questions and enjoy the addiction
Bjrogg

[osage outlaw]

Check you local libraries for the Traditional Bowyers Bibles.  If they don't have it they can probably order it for you.  If you want your own copy, try the trading post on this site or look on amazon.  That's where I got mine from. 

Like others have said, keep on making bows and learn from each one.  Try to attend one of the shoots mentioned.  You will learn a lot by working with experienced bowyers.   Post pictures of each bow that you build and ask for advice on how to improve it.  I think you will find that the members here will offer help in a polite and professional manner. 

[Stick Bender]

Excelent advice above particularly the part about dont fear failure , I think more is learned from failure then just about any method wheather its poor tiller , out right break, wrong wood , poor performance Etc,  Always dust off & start over !!!

[Dances with squirrels]

That's all good advice, but you need to see, feel, and study bows of others, including a few 'top shelf' bows in person. How do you find the best way to get somewhere when you don't know where you're headed? That was a game changer for me and my next few bows were worlds apart from my firsts.

[George Tsoukalas]

I live in NH and had a ready supply of hardwoods in my yard. I learned on black locust. Mostof my early staves exuded character. I learned to handle knots and less than perfect wood.

I also read a lot.

At shoots, I would just kind of sit back and watch as people drew their bows. That gave me a good idea of what tiller should be.

Keep making bows. That is the best way to learn.

More on my site.

http://traditionalarchery101.com

Jawge

[Eric Krewson]

What I have seen from almost all the students in my shop are is going too fast on wood removal and loosing focus. On the focus thing; they will be merrily rasping away wood down to a layout line and start daydreaming and before they snap back they are through the line and turning a 50 pound bow into a 30 pound bow.

[Hawkdancer]

Soggy dog,
 The campus library may have the TBB series, Missouri Bookstore may have or will order at full retail, or Amazon for about $20 each.  Amazon orders from Jim Hamm, I think.  Hope to see you at MOJAM, if I can make it back.  Good luck with your builds, they guys on this site are very helpful, and won't give you a lot of ribbing(well, not too often). Lots of experience.  There is someone else near Columbia, on the site.  If you are legal, raise a pint for me at the Heidelburg, if it is still there across from the Journalism school and the Columns.
Hawkdancer