Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Arrowind on February 15, 2011, 02:57:14 am
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I've always really liked archery. My uncle was an archery hunter and gave us kids a 14 pound recurve when I was growing up. He and my Dad set up some hay bales in our backyard. I used to try and shoot apples and once even shot a cherry tomato. That was a very long time ago. I kept shooting off an on in highschool then more off than on. Then not at all. I never stopped liking it though. My uncle passed away last year. I'm a scout leader and recently during a planning meeting someone got the crazy idea that for an activity we would make our own bows. Everyone got excited about it then I suddenly realized I better figure out how to build bows. Fortunately for me we have the internet!
I was not prepared for how much I would love doing this. I was also not prepared for how much it makes me feel closer to my uncle even though he has passed away.
I think I may have a problem though. I can't stop. I can hardly finish one before I start another! I sit around thinking about what woods I can try or what kinds of bows I can make or try to make...
I wonder if there is a 12 step program for this...
I need to find a better place to shoot. My yard is too small.... If the neighbors see me there could be trouble....
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This website is our 12 step program. Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
Hi, my name is Clint, and I have a bow problem ;D
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My name is Pat and I am addicted to wood bow building!
Welcome to PA, Arrowind. You are among friends and fellow addicts.
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Hi my name is Josh and I too admit I have a problem, when I close my eyes at night I see a bent stick or imagine what my next bow stave may come to be. I read either TBB 1,2,3,4 every night before bed and thats after I pull my self off here lol gotta get off the net now my wife is also realizing im an addict.
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Nice post, I like that it makes you feel closer to your Uncle.
I find bow making very therapeutic. I'm an impatient old git who can get easilly stressed out by the ineptitude of others. Making bows teachs me a bit of patience and while making 'em I only have my own ineptitude to cope with ;D.
I'm Del and I'm a cat addict.
Del
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Hi my name is Josh and I too admit I have a problem, when I close my eyes at night I see a bent stick or imagine what my next bow stave may come to be. I read either TBB 1,2,3,4 every night before bed and thats after I pull my self off here lol gotta get off the net now my wife is also realizing im an addict.
Same here. I have been reading TBI and Become the arrow at night after the wife goes to sleep. Once at our old house, I woke up one night standing downstairs in my bow shop. I must have been sleep walking.
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My name is Ronnie and I don't have a bow problem I can quit any time I want. Now wheres my draw knife.Ron ;D
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Bows are terribly addicting, from the moment I built the first bow I was hopelessly addicted for about a 12 year run. Now I can't hardly finish one. I think I fizzled out! Steve
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Making bows is so addicted to me because it combines four things I thoroughly enjoy:
1) crafting things (whether woodworking, forging, etc)
2) art
3) tools/weapons (coaxing a piece of wood to fling arrows across a field or through a target is just plain cool and must be a testosterone thing)
4) a sense of connection with our human history
I just hope my wife doesn't get sick and tired of my hobby, especially since I'm now taking over the kitchen stove as I experiment with steam bending ;D
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I think I may have a problem though. I can't stop. I can hardly finish one before I start another! I sit around thinking about what woods I can try or what kinds of bows I can make or try to make...
My name is Bevan and I am an addict (and proud of it ;D).
I do not think your addiction is hardcore enough, you state you finish one before you start another, I have not got my head around that concept yet. I usually have several going at the same time.
Bevan
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I've been hooked on this stuff for about 8 years now. Just like any user, I turn to scraping on a stave when I have problems, BUT unlike other types of self medication bow making leaves you feeling better. I have worked through many a problem in my life by just following the grain on a stick until I saw whatever I needed to in a new light. It kinda gives your rational brain a break and allows your unconcious brain to work stuff out. As a huge bonus, you get bows out of it. :D
Gabe
p.s. Steve I can't imagine you've fizzled out. I bet you just need to find a new tack. Find a new angle that rekindles your inspiration. There is no limit to the different ways you can bend a stick. You need to get that inner scientist questioning again so we can all benifit. :)
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I'm not an addict... I'm just bored. ;D
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Hi my name is Josh and I too admit I have a problem, when I close my eyes at night I see a bent stick or imagine what my next bow stave may come to be. I read either TBB 1,2,3,4 every night before bed and thats after I pull my self off here lol gotta get off the net now my wife is also realizing im an addict.
Same here. I have been reading TBI and Become the arrow at night after the wife goes to sleep. Once at our old house, I woke up one night standing downstairs in my bow shop. I must have been sleep walking.
Thats funny rite there a sleep walking bowyer lol I hope you dont use allot of power tools in your sleep ;D
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The only problem I have is getting staves and enough time to work with them! :D I've just about completed my first bow and have another one underway and am eyeing my stave supply already. Also I am turning my pumphouse into a woodshop. Yep, it's too much fun!
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At typical evening at my house:
"Cam, come to bed."
"Just a sec, just gotta read this post"
"That's what you said half an hour ago"
"Ya, just hang on"
"You're not going to want to go to the gym in the morning"
"I never WANT to go to the gym, but you'll make me anyway"
"Just come to bed"
"Fine" - go lay down...
"Don't do it!!"
"Do what??"
"Don't turn the nightlight on, your Primitive Archer will still be there tomorrow..."
"Fine..." ... then fall asleep thinking about bows... :)
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Man, you can shoot anywhere. I have shot:
1) in my trailer home in a park in Kansas,
2) beside my trailer,
3) in a civilian hotel room,
4) in an army hotel room for 4 months at Ft. Sill, OK,
5) in the workshop at home,
6) in an appartment in Minneapolis, KS while student teaching for 5 months,
7) assorted roadside parks, rest areas, and break stations,
8) lots of national, state, and local wildlife management areas (roaving. Carry ONLY blunt/judo tips and you'll likely be okay if you have to explain yourself).
Your opportunity to shoot is limited only by your imagination, and perhaps your ablity to sneak in the stuff you need. ;D
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I am addicted but, Cam, really, in my younger days when my wife said come to bed, I sure did. :) jawge
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Well that just shows you how bad I got it, doesn't it? :)
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yeh, this is a serious problem, I lie awake at night designing bows in my head.......
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when i get into the "bowmaking mood"
i have been known to only get one maybe two hours of sleep
i just get a little to involved in what i am working on at times
and just plain forget about going to bed
going to work the next day is a real treat :D
now i get more sleep,i dont make as many bows
not since i started knapping
now sleep is easy
once you loose enough blood,you just pass out right where your at ;D
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Bow making ideas used to keep me up at nights and I just couldn't ever fall asleep! Now however, I find it quite therapeutic and it helps me to get my mind off of work, problems, kids, etc., etc., etc., and it certainly helps me to relax and simply enjoy life more.
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I think I may have a problem though. I can't stop. I can hardly finish one before I start another! I sit around thinking about what woods I can try or what kinds of bows I can make or try to make...
My name is Bevan and I am an addict (and proud of it ;D).
I do not think your addiction is hardcore enough, you state you finish one before you start another, I have not got my head around that concept yet. I usually have several going at the same time.
Bevan
Ah but I didn't tell the whole story. I actually have 4 going right now and will probably start another.....It's like an unquenchable appetite.......
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Hi my name is Josh and I too admit I have a problem, when I close my eyes at night I see a bent stick or imagine what my next bow stave may come to be. I read either TBB 1,2,3,4 every night before bed and thats after I pull my self off here lol gotta get off the net now my wife is also realizing im an addict.
Hilarious! I actually have TBB Vol 1 sitting on my night stand right next to my bed and read a little every night. I am ordering the other 3 this month....
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My name is Pat and I am addicted to wood bow building!
Welcome to PA, Arrowind. You are among friends and fellow addicts.
Thanks! Everyone is so cool here. It does feel a bit like home....
My name is Jared / Arrowind and I'm a bow making addict!
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Hi my name is Josh and I too admit I have a problem, when I close my eyes at night I see a bent stick or imagine what my next bow stave may come to be. I read either TBB 1,2,3,4 every night before bed and thats after I pull my self off here lol gotta get off the net now my wife is also realizing im an addict.
Hilarious! I actually have TBB Vol 1 sitting on my night stand right next to my bed and read a little every night. I am ordering the other 3 this month....
Well dont plan on getting much sleep and when you do plan on dreaming of bow building lol they are all great books I have read them all through about a dozen times now and I retain a little more each time.
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HI, My name is Ron and I may have a problem too. I just straightened out my shop and counted 10 bows in various stages of construction. Ron
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I have a problem for sure, I would be afraid to count how many i have in different stages,trouble I have now is getting them finished,never seem to get time to work on my own, I am involved in a lot of bows but do good to finish a few for me to hunt with each year. :) The thing is that doesn't bother me at all,as long as I am around some bow work going on I am happy. :)
Pappy
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Hi my name is Mark. I'm not addicted to bow making ::) When I get the jitters, I go start some arrows. I'm not addicted to those either ::) So, when I get the jitters again, I go back to making bows. Man this makes for a long day. Well, ok ok, I might have a small addiction :o ;D
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It's only an addiction when yer gettin 3 wife beatins a week instead of the two I get now ;D......
rich
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Oh my god he's beating his wife with a bow.
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Cameroo, good one. When I start a bow, I cannot rest until it is done. I can put it down for the day but I have to finish it. It usually gets done within 2 or 3 days. It becomes all consuming. What else can an old guy do during the winter in NH, Cameroo? :) Jawge
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Just a quick check, Is anyone having fun? Or does the wonder ever wear off? Ron
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You mean 'I wonder if that will make a bow?' or 'I wonder what made that one blow up?' :D
No the wonder has not worn off. I still get the same chills as the first time when I shoot an arrow from a bow I just got to full draw.
Bevan