Getting Started on First Bow!

[snag]

That's a generous offer Stan. I live in Eugene.

Dana, that's an interesting remark. I was thinking this morning that there are too types of ways to create something....by adding to or by taking away. This will be like sculpture...taking a little away here and then over here...until the bow is revealed that was waiting to come out!

I'm looking at draw knifes now! Is there a maker of these currently that you can recommend?

[Dano]

I got my draw knife at McMasterCarr.com, been real happy with it.

[Blacktail]

all right dave.you will have fun..so what kind of wood are you starting with.later john

[Keenan]

Right on Dave    Fill us in on the details and keep us posted.  Don't hesitate to ask questions this is a great board with lots of help.  Great getting to meet you.  Keenan

[Knocker]

Check out antique stores for draw knives.  I love old tools, and the old steel was probably better too...

Keith

[StanM]

Hey Dave,

I'm just down the road in Creswell.  Give me a holler after the 15th and we'll work something out.

Stan

[snag]

Blacktail, it is a vine maple stave that Keenan and Dave gave me at the Bowbuilding Rendevous in central Oregon.

Knocker it's funny you said that. This morning I had an appt. north of Eugene. There was an Estate Sale sign out by the road. Pulled in and drove down the gravel road to a farmhouse. Walked into the barn/workshop to see table after table covered with tools and gadgets. Unfortunately this man had not been a woodworker. He was into metal and old car restoration. He had a couple of 30's Ford sedans that were fully restored. Fun to look around. I found a rasp w/ a wooden handle that looks pretty aggressive. Thought it might work for taking wood off this stave...for $1 you can't go wrong.  Still looking for a draw knife.

[330bull]

Snag,

Draw Knives are totally overrated IMHO.  They're necessary for Osage and other staves that require ring chasing.  I have found the the following tools to be the most critical:

1. Farrier's Rasp
2. Bowyer's Edge
3. Nicholson #50 Rasp
4. Pocket Knife.

Good luck with the Vine Maple!  Since you live in the valley I highly recommend you also look into some Hazelnut.  So far I have found Hazelnut to be the easiest wood to work with.

Keep in touch OK?

Joe

[snag]

Thanks Joe for the shopping list! I was given a farrier's rasp and have several pocket knifes. I will look for the other two items.
I have 6 hazelnut staves seasoning right now. I found an orchard that was being cut down for a housing development!!! Wish I had gotten more now. They have been down for one month now. Should be ready after hunting season.

[recurve shooter]

Snag,

Draw Knives are totally overrated IMHO.  They're necessary for Osage and other staves that require ring chasing.  I have found the the following tools to be the most critical:

1. Farrier's Rasp
2. Bowyer's Edge
3. Nicholson #50 Rasp
4. Pocket Knife.

Good luck with the Vine Maple!  Since you live in the valley I highly recommend you also look into some Hazelnut.  So far I have found Hazelnut to be the easiest wood to work with.

Keep in touch OK?

Joe

what is a bowyers edge?

[snag]

Glad you asked that Recurve Shooter...I would like to know also.

[Hillbilly]

It's a fancy scraper hafted kind of like a plane blade except more perpendicular. Dean Torges makes and sells them. It's kind of based on Dick Baugh's Bowscraper. Personally, I love drawknives, they're really versatile and also make a great scraper when turned up perpendiclar to the wood.

[BryanB]

Nicholson #49 & #50.  Save your pennies though they are abut $40-50 each without the handle.
Tons of bow wood around Eugene.  Vine Maple, Cascara, hazel nut, service berry, hawthorne, yew, black locust, and Ocean Spray.
Good Luck
Bryan

[DanaM]

I'd recommend the #49 but save your money and don't buy the #50

[snag]

I looked at some Nicholson rasps at the hardware store. I couldn't see any marking indicating they were #49 or #50? The rasp I picked up at the Estate Sale is a Sureform. Will that do the same work as the #49 Nicholson?