Just like the title asks. In your opinion who makes and sells the nicest self bow? Why do you think so? Pictures too if you have them.

Swiftwoods and Hunt Primitive are my two choises.

But, when I've seen the prices the osage selfbows go these days - on their sites - I think my Border Covert Hunter is a bargain.

Yeah, 2000 for self bow ?????

Me. But, that's my personal opinion :)

On a serious note. Dont let bling get in the way of the best "self bow" discussion.

James Rempp

I like simple lines with out any bling.

Weylin Olive of Swiftwood bows makes the best looking selfbows I’ve ever seen, he’s a super cool guy too who loves helping people learn about making them, he has been a huge help in my bow making journey

All great self bow makers above, and many more you could add to the list. I have been making self bows for over 20 years now, so I don't need there service. Glass bows are cut ,and dry. Self bows take a lot of time, patience, and talent not to mention the cost of a premium Osage stave, so if they are trying to make a living selling them I can see why they charge what they do, but can also see were cost could be a real issue for many. Like every thing else in life it's just a personal choice.

Swiftwood, there is one that I would snap up if I didn't have a physical problem.

There are a lot of selfbow builders on this site that I would love for them to make one for me, but Swiftwood is my first choice.

Pearl Drums (Chris) makes one of the finest selfbows I have ever seen. I can't speak for him selling them but his work is second to none.

Some of the guys that build some of the nicest ones. Dont sell them.

The best selfbow(s) are rare.

Out of a hundred randomly selected selfbows, how many are among the best in design, tiller, dynamic balance, durability, longevity, performance, aestetics, flow, and finish? How many have 'the best' of it all? One?

Agreed, it’s painful too.

The first 100 bows I made were some good lookers. But, they don't shoot anything like what I make now. That is what I was referring to about the "best" made. If you haven't handled and shot the bows you really have no idea. The ol' lipstick on a pig figure of speech rings true.

I would be tempted to buy one from Huntprimitive, because I have watched so many videos of his, mainly. I like his primitive quivers, also.

I just acquired my first selfbow from a local maker, this week, as a matter of fact. I was able to buy it for $400.00 which is probably on the lower end of things, considering how much one from Huntprimitive cost. There's a lot of work in one of these bows, so I can't hardly see how anyone could make and sell a good one for much less, and he's definitely not getting rich for that price. He also has several roughed-out bows, that don't need much work, just tillering, cutting string nocks, finishing out, etc. Main bonus for me, is I can drive over there, and shoot whatever he has before I buy, if I wanted to.

It must be the Kangaroo lace and the Atlantice Spotted Wolf Fish backing that drives up the price.

What about Clay Hayes? I sure do like the looks of some of his bows. Does anyone here, have one of his bows?

An over built sinew backed snake skin Osage bow that is tillered right will most likely last a life time. It will shoot good enough, and impress most by it's looks. Shooting through a chrony will confirm the bow's speed which may vary from one bow to another. Who makes the nicest self bow that sales them. That would take some extensive testing to come to a final conclusion even with all the above bowyers. Hayes will show what his bows do through a chrony, and you can watch him build them. Many are not extremely fast ,but are extremely deadly in his hands , and would be capable in the hands of good archer.

Arvin Weaver. Texas

John Strunk out of Tillamook Oregon

How about Ted Fry from Raptor Archery?

How about Ted Fry from Raptor Archery?

Some good bowyers named here. I've made a few self bows and a few glassed recurves. No way I'd consider paying over $1000 for a self bow though.

If I was going to buy a selfbow I would look at John Strunk's site. He has been in business for how many years...? His prices seem more than fair.

A lot of archers who buy expensive bows want their bows to be perfect. You can have a butt ugly self bow that shoots great. My favorite self bow cost $100.00 and has knots all over it. All self bows are one of a kind custom bow. No two are exactly alike. No two will shoot the same even if they look alike.

Self. Bows are like box calls for Turkey hunting, they can be made the same but they’ll all sound different. Self bows can be made with the same wood and design and they all will shoot different.

Joe Don Jones.

Joe Don has retired and won't make them anymore, or so he tells me.

Used to be a fellow here went by badger that folks talked highly of bows he made. Does he still make bows? Sell any?

Steve

You won't go wrong with Pearl, Jeff, or Arvin. All 3 have a different style but each one is a top notch selfbow bowyer. Whether they sell them ... You'll have to inquire. I will say all the bells and whistles on a selfbow don't add up to $1500 - $2000 unless you're wealthy and enjoy throwing money away IMO.

I know he might not be happy with this ... but ... Jeff Durnell here on the Leatherwall makes the finest selfbows I've ever seen.

Sorry for calling you out Jeff ... but it's true. Your bows are in a class of their own.

I would love to see some of Jeff’s work. I’m sure it is very nice. I have never met him but I can tell by his comments that he is a good bowyer.

I think lastmohecken has the right idea.

Selfbows are very personal. Really getting to know the bowyer. Visit his shop. Shoot his bows. Get advice on how to care for your bow. Learn things you should never, ever, ever do to them.

There are so many things you can do to a glass bow that you can’t get away with on a Selfbow. Even just stringing them has to be done properly.

Like Mr. Drums. I think I make some of the best Selfbows out there. I don’t want to be caught up in it as a business though.

When I do sell a bow, it’s to someone like Lastmohecken. Someone who invests the time it takes to visit my shop. Shot my bows. Let us both find out what they really want.

I ve never had an unhappy customer experience like this.

Bjrogg

Here is John Strunk's website spiritlongbow.com/home.html

The only one I've owned was by Jim Rempp and it was very, very nice.

I was just gifted a nice yew self bow..from Steely Dan.. ..yesterday having finally gotten a wind free day I was finally able to shoot it outside and let me tell you it shoots as good as it looks..sorry I don't have a picture.

THANKS! ..again Colin.. Codjigger

This Reece Field snakey Osage is an awesome bow. WIsh it was 6 or 7 lbs lighter

Mg, scrape a few pounds off.

This kind of thread needs some pictures!

Rempp.

I can't believe there aren't more for Clay? He makes some good bows.

This one will take a few pics.

In 2015 I paid $700 for this bow. I drove to Montana to get it. Included in the price was a few stave and a 2 day crash course on making a shoot bow. I also came home with a half a dozen more. There's no better human being on earth.

Awesome way to get an awesome bow Rooty.

Bjrogg

I've always enjoyed Marc St Louis bows. Some were selfbows and some were backed.

Nice Rooty!

I have made some selfbows. It is a labor of love. From chainsaw, to splitting wedges, to bandsaw, to draw knife, to rasp, to sander, to sandpaper, to applying leather handles and a dozen finishing processes. The way I build them, I can’t fathom being able to charge enough to pay for my time. I don’t sell them anymore- I will give one away now and then if I find someone who deserves one. Each selfbow is a unique piece of functional art. If you want a good one, pay the price, or better yet, learn how to make your own. Taking game with bows you have built yourself is a great sense of satisfaction. The guys mentioned above build excellent bows and you would be fortunate if they sell you one.

Tony Taul in Jerseyville Ill.

Nice bow, Rooty. Don't see a lot of yew bows for some reason. Osage seems quite popular. May be availability, or maybe regional.

Steve

I don't know who makes the best but I would love to sit in on a bow build with Pearl, Arvin or Jeff.

Always loved the turkey feather bow

Curt Brisky of BriskyBows. Go find his site.

That's my bow! Where did you find that pic Greg?

A buddy of mine here in Michigan sent the picture to me. He found it online somewhere. That is one beautiful bow Chris.

It sure looks like one of Dbar’s. They look even better in person. Beautiful work Bill does.

Bjrogg

Yup, bill made that for me. It’s one of many treasures on my bow racks.

I remember that one. Pics like that tend to get shared with or without permission.

Bill is a talented guy. His cane arrows are some of the best I’ve ever seen.

Yes he makes really fine cane arrows. They fly really nice. I have a half dozen and as beautiful as they are. They are to nice not to shoot. Bill does everything 100%

Bjrogg

My bows are not works of art but they shoot good. Honored to be included in the list though. Bunch of real good bowyers out there. I have one from Pearl, Lonnie Dye, Kenny Cartwright they all hang in my hall of fame. ??there are no there I would like in the hall.

There are others I would like to have in the hallway. Big fingers mess me up all the time!

If you want a shooter bow, Arvin is the one to get it from. I hope he brings a few to MoJam 25 this year. :)

I shot a last man standing long distance contest against Tony Taul. I had a Barebow with Uukha limbs. Tony had his Selfbow & wood arrows. Tony dropped out at 70 yards & maybe would have won if his wife wasn’t harassing him to go to dinner. Between the bow & the man, it was really impressive.

I don’t know Tony but he definitely can shoot the bows he makes.!! I respect facts. He gets his time on the podium.

Mike Yancy. Of Pine Hollow Longbow he also has one on one classes as well.

Basically everyone that anyone has heard of. lol

In my mind. The one I would love to have one from is Simson, but last time I communicated with him his health wasn’t allowing him to go to the workshop.

He really did make bows that didn’t need lipstick. They were already knock out beautiful.

His work just really appeals to me and he is a very good bowyer.

I believe his site is Stone Hill Primitives or something like that. He’s across the pond.

If you want to see what I consider a beautiful gallery of work try looking him up.

He sure crafted a lot of top shelf work and I think his son set up the website for him.

I haven’t been there for quite some time. I might just have to take a look myself

Bjrogg

^^^^^What BJ posted ^^^^^^

Yup Steve.

I just went to his site and looked at his gallery. Just as good as I remembered it.

Bjrogg

Don't know if he is still making them, Brad Smith made some beautiful Selfbows. A buddy of mine use to have one. He said that when he would go to shoots with it, people knew who was going to take 1st place in the Selfbow Class. DANNY

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here