Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: crarnold65 on July 16, 2008, 10:57:31 pm
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Just wanted to say hello and tell everybody associated with this web site and Primitive Archer how awesome this is. I am new to the traditional archery sport. I have been a compound user for a number of years but always felt like I was missing out out something. I met Jim Belcher of Belcher Bows at the at the Madison, WI deer and turkey show in April and after bugging him for the three days of the show I finally upon arriving back in Stuart ordered one of his awesome bows for myself. It is a work of art and shoots just a nice as I envisioned. Now I just can't seem to take the compound down of the rack of late. I also can't seem to find many people in my area that can help me alot as far as learning a bit more about shooting longbows and the upkeep of one as well so I hope I don't annoy too many of you with questions. I will try to do most of my learning by reading but please be patient if I ask a stupid question. ;D
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Welcome crarnold65!! You've came to the right place for your new addiction! It wont be long until you forget that bows with wheels on them ever existed! ;) Oh, and there is no stupid question, if you don't know you have to ask to learn.
Alan
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Thanks Allen.
i look forward to my first hunting season with my longbow but I am starting to worry just alittle bit that spending to much time on this forum and I am going to want to build my own. Well it probably is a little late in the year for that.....but next year .... I am taking notes already.
Thanks again for your response
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Build one anyway ;D!
Look at it this way. If you cut down the tree, debark it and split it out, by next summer it'll be ready to be turned into a nice longbow for season!
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You came to the right place to learn. My last three compounds hung on the wall for three years. I finally sold them to make room for the bows, arrows and quivers that I had made. Ask away. Whatever the question, you will find the answer here. No pressure guys. >:D
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Thanks for the replies,
I said I would start slow, but like my favorite comedian once said..."I have the right to remain silent, but not the ability". Any body have any suggestins as to what kind of wood I should start looking for to begin the process? I live in South Florida and am limited as to the types of wood available. I would like some Hickory but not going to find that down here.
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Hey don't worry about asking stupid questions ![ I done ask them all ]so these guys already have all the answers to the questions . Its the only way to learn .build you a bow anyway you can do it , I did Welcome aboard
Dennis
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There are a lot of ways to get started without a lot of money. Try Sam Harpers red oak build along. He uses wood from Lowes or Home Depot. With all the help from here you can make it all fancy real easy.
Good Luck.
Bill
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yup your at the right spot ;)
no such thimgs as stupid questions here,just people seeking knowledge from those that know ;D
yup you might as well start right now on building that bow for next year,and then make an appt with Dr.Keenan lol :D
cause you already show the early warning signs.
welcome aboard
peace,
tim
p.s.
a good way to never want to shoot the wheelie bow again,shoot that first,then shot the longbow.see which is quiter.you will be surprised
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Welcome aboard! Ask away.
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Welcome ,you will like it here,just ask away. :)
Pappy
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Welcome! It's a pretty cool feeling shooting an arrow for the first time from a bow you just finished using your own hands. I highly recommend your experiencing it! ;)
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There's some stuff on my site too. Jawge
http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/
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Welcome, You can't go wrong with this place !!
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CRARNOLD, what woods do you have down there? Any white ash or hard maple?
-Matt
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thanksfor all the input. I have been on line and seen the pages on building a redwood bow and its very good instruction to the beginner. I have been doing some research about wood availble to me in South Florida and the results have not been as good as I had hoped. I do however have a friend who thinks he can get me a nice piece of Hickory. Not sure if thats a good option for the first bow project but it may be my only prospect for a while.
I am probably jumping the gun a little bit by asking this but do you guys make your own bowstrings as well?
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I love Hickory, its a great wood. I'm amazed at how well it bends.
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Crar, welcome to this facination and addiction. Do a google search, there are site that you can use to find out what kind of wood grows in your area, and areas you could drive to as well.
http://forestry.about.com/library/treekey/bltree_key_id_start.htm is one that looks easy to use, you just need some of the leaves from a certain tree and it will guide you along.
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/florida_forestry_information/forest_resources/trees_of_florida_common_hardwoods.html is a page taht shows common hardwoods in Florida. You have tons of options, ash, hornbearm, 6 types of hickory, eastern red cedar, eastern hophornbeam, guava, about 10 types of oak, American and Florida elm....just a feast! Now you just have to figure out where they grow, and go harvesting.
Looks like you Florida boys have it good. And sometimes wood just finds you. A huge branch feel off the maple tree in my front yard, and I got a 12" diameter, 12 foot long log out of it, as well as a few big limbs and some smaller limbs too, so it doesnt have to cost and arm and a leg.
Dane
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Thanks for the links Dane
Looks like I have a number of choices. I still think I like the idea of hickory. Looks like I am going to do a little wood hunting this weekend. I need to get busy. Tomorrow I will hopefully be getting some good news from the Iowa Game and Fish as to my non-Resident bow hunting application. I know I won't be able to finish my project and become proficient enough with it to use it hunting but it would be nice to have it to show of at the lodge after hunting all day.
Thanks again.
This bow thing is going to become an obsession.......cool
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Crarnold,there are several expert primitive types from Florida that are regulars on this site.One of them will eventually chime in,so be ready with your localized questions,about native woods,and materials. God Bless
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I will be ready I have notepad and have about a page and a half worth of notes. Also went to three rivers archery supply and looked into some of their bowbuilding supplies. This is going to get ugly quick. Luckily enough I don't have to worry about getting my purchases approved by anybody else.
If somebody could give me an idea of what basic tools I should start getting accumulated it would be appreciated.
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Welcome! As far as tools go your going to need a handsaw of some sort a good rasp, I like a old fariers rasp, a scraper, a draw knife would be good as well. Oh and you going to want to build your self a tillering tree. I'll see if I can find a link to post for directions for that. You dont know what your getting your self into hear..... >:D O:) ;D
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Try this http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3423.0.html
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Ryano,
Someone once said "great deeds come at great cost". I believe they might have been a member of this forum.
Thanks for the input on the tools. I will be doing some tool shoppig this week end as well. Being an electrician the idea of having to buy more tools does not bother me in the least. I do however believe the people at Three Rivers are going to be sending me Christmas Cards. ;D :o