Hunting the Osage Bow

[Pat B]

Dean used a bulbous handle. When I make mine I draw a 1 1/4" circle at the middle of the handle and a 1" circle above and below that. This will give you the bulbous shape. I lay out my bows with the center of the handle the center of the bow. Dean and others do(did) it differently laying out the handle with 1 1/4" above and 2 3/4" below the center line for a 4" handle.

[Eric Krewson]

I like the bulbous handle as well, you don't have to use any facet shaping on them, just round it off to fit your hand.

[Selfbowman]

Here is my handle section I trace on the back assuming the stave allows it.

[Selfbowman]

8” handle

[Selfbowman]

Video ew after

[hammerstone]

So there you have it. Pappy is right " many ways to skin a cat ". I've been making 4" handles for ever and now I see Self Bowman's 8" handle. Not a big fan of shelves on a self bow but I sur could use some extra room to attach my rubber strap adapter on a self bow for my bow fishing reel. " Why didn't I think of that " ?

[hammerstone]

And by the way Eric Krewson ... You innovative bowyer you .
When are you going to put a book out ? I want the first copy.

[Hamish]

Count me in for a copy, as well.

[Pat B]

Has anyone heard of or have a link to an article Dean wrote about building laminated(backed) kid's bows?

[Bob Barnes]

Pat, It seems like Dean started out making a hickory backed hickory bow for kids, but he decided that his rattan bows were better and much safer.  We sure made a lot of them at MoJam when he was there and sent maybe 50 kids home with an indestructible bow. 
https://www.bowyersedge.com/kidsbows.html

[Pat B]

Bob, would you mind if I copy and paste your comment on Trad Gang? That's where the original request came from.

[Bob Barnes]

no problem...I got kicked off of there years ago... LOL