Help Making my First Bow

[Morsolo]

Hey guys,

I've never been into bows that much, but have always had fun the few times I've used them. Personally, I'm more of a gun man myself. But a recent event sparked my interest in Bow Hunting and I am really set on making my own Laminated Longbow. I want to make an English Longbow, but have been told for my first few tries, to just stick to a Flatbow.

I'm - well - entirely new to all this and yes, I'm jumping in perhaps a little far, but I have almost all the tools needed at my disposal and an infinite supply of timber. I've done some searching around the forums and found some very helpful resources and build-a-longs, but I wanted to hear some direct input from you guys.

Where do you think I should begin and any tips and/or hints for a newbie to try to get/avoid?

Also, what types of wood should I be using for my first few tries? My "timber guy" has requested I get the botanical names for the timber, so if you've got them too, it would be much appreciated. I pretty much have until November to come up with a nice looking elaborate bow, so I can try as many times as I want until then.

Hopefully I haven't already done something stupid,
- Morsolo

[greybeard]

Hi Morsolo,

'I am really set on making my own Laminated Longbow. I want to make an English Longbow, but have been told for my first few tries, to just stick to a Flatbow.'

Do you want to make an all wood laminated bow or are you looking at having a glass back and belly bow using a timber/bamboo core?

Daryl.

Can you put your location on your avatar, can be helpful at times?

[Morsolo]

Hi Morsolo,

'I am really set on making my own Laminated Longbow. I want to make an English Longbow, but have been told for my first few tries, to just stick to a Flatbow.'

Do you want to make an all wood laminated bow or are you looking at having a glass back and belly bow using a timber/bamboo core?

Daryl.

Can you put your location on your avatar, can be helpful at times?

I am trying to replicate a sort of "tribal" bow I saw - that I fell in love with - which is all wood, so I'm guessing I'll stick to all wood.

And I forgot to do my profile stuff, I shall update that now.

[greybeard]

'I want to make an English Longbow'

'I am trying to replicate a sort of "tribal" bow I saw - that I fell in love with - which is all wood, so I'm guessing I'll stick to all wood.'

I am somewhat confused, can you post a photo of the bow?

Daryl.

[Morsolo]

'I want to make an English Longbow'

'I am trying to replicate a sort of "tribal" bow I saw - that I fell in love with - which is all wood, so I'm guessing I'll stick to all wood.'

I am somewhat confused, can you post a photo of the bow?

Daryl.

I'll see if I can find a picture...

Until I get a picture, scratch the last part. English Longbow, all wood.

[Len]

G'day Morsolo. Get your self to Mathews timbers and get a piece of white ash. Check that the grain runs straight for at least 76 or so inches and you will be able to make an elb. There is two types of elb's; victorian/target or medieval/war bow style. The warbow has no handle and is made to draw 30" +, or to the ear. The victorian style has a grip or handle and is designed to be shot in the modern style like a target bow.
When you get your white ash the edge of the piece of timber will be the back of the bow so make sure you get a piece 30mm or so wide.
Good luck and ask questions.

[Morsolo]

Thanks Len, my timber guy says he uses Matthews but not often.

He does however say he can get anything from here for nothing: http://www.afttimbers.com/products.htm

Ash - American White is on there, which I assume is the one you mean, it indeed does look like a perfect timber for it. Also, I think I'll be going for the Warbow style, I shall source some images of the bow I want to replicate (after a few tries) as soon as I get home.

And... Leongatha? I've got a fair amount of family in Mirboo North; and my mother was born in Leongatha.