Thought about getting a bow from Ringing Rocks archery. A self bow you finish sanding and top coat. Totally ignorant on self bows...Do they last? Can you shoot them like and as much as laminated bows? Any info would be great! Thanks

A well designed selfbow of the best bow wood that was properly selected, seasoned, and strored, that is expertly tillered and treated well afterwards... not left strung or ever overdrawn, etc. will last many years and thousands of shots. They don't need babied, just don't abuse them. My favorite osage selfbow is 10 years old this year and has been my go-to bow since I made it. It has shot many thousands of arrows, filled many a skillet, and still stands straight unstrung.

That place you're considering.... what kind of bow wood are their bows made of? What design? Have you ever seen or handled one? I never heard of them. They might be ok. I'd be cautious, that's all I'm sayin'.

I just searched them... their bows are pretty cheap in price. I have to wonder about their quality. Be careful... do you know anyone else who has bought from them?

Jeff, thanks for response. Yeah price is extremely cheap which makes me wonder about quality. Like you mentioned. Do you recommend any other places?

Yes, you can get a really, really nice self bow from James Rempp with many, many in inventory for a very low price.......I can't see how he even makes them for the price.....and they will last.

what Jeff said,, if you get a bow that is well designed,,, it will really last,,

I looked at the bows,,, it would be hard to tell about the tiller unless you could see a full draw pic,,, they seem to be made of hickory,, it is a good bow wood,,, it is sensitive to moisture,,, you would need to make sure it had low moisture before shooting and sealed well,,, I think 1 1/2 inch wide might be a bit narrow for anything over 50,,,

took a long walk with 2 old friends tonight..."Easy" and the memory of her maker, my friend Joe Mattingly...it was a wonderful way to pass a beautiful warm afternoon...Easy was made in 1996 and has been shooting perfectly all of these years! Thanks Joe!

I miss Joe Mattingly also..He was a good selfbowyer and fine fellow all around..Jim

Yes, too bad. Joe was a good man.I met him at Mojam. May his memory be eternal.

Selfbows are quite durable.

Think about it the oldest US selfbow is from the late 1600's (Sudbury bow).

How old is oldest FG bow? :)

Jawge

hello all, i just finished my third hickory self bow from ringing rocks, no complaints, they do take on a little set but the tiller is good and they shoot great, rich pyle

yep...a well made overbuilt bow will last a lifetime if properly cared for...let her rest when you rest, dont let your friends shoot her, keep her sealed against weather and dirt, keep a good string on her even replacing it every few years or more, keep out of direct sunlight if possible.......

I have three selfbows on my rack...with two others in various forms of completion.

Find a great bow from an experienced bowmaker for your draw length.....and you will have years of happy shooting.

I have osage static tip my late friend Joe Mattingly gifted me that was completed in April 2000...I also have a vine maple from John Strunk that is few years old and little string follow but standing strong.

Hopefully my first bow made myself out of hickory will be half as good as from these two great bowyers...

RIP Joe...

Ron Herman

PS..Top bow is Joe Mattingly osage, next is John Strunk vine maple, third is my own hickory not yet complete....

Jawge, considering that in 1600, it would be another 350 years before thay made a fiberglass laminated bow, that comparison has no challenge.

I have a lemonwood that was factory made in the 1940's, has a clarified calfskin backing so is a backed, all wood bow, and it's still shooting. I does have a patch on the upper limb but is still able to launch arrows. I think overdrawing them is worse than anything else you can do.

LOL, George, I know. I was waiting for someone to call me on it. :) Jawge

Saxton Pope said in "Hunting with the Bow and Arrow", "the average bow is worth a hundred thousand shots". That sounds like a lifetime to me.

All wood bows , from good bow wood, properly selected and cut and seasoned and done by a good craftsman..will outlast the archer..

In short....

Selfbows can be durable,but not foolproof.

In short....

Selfbows can be durable,but not foolproof.

Bows from the Mary Rose have been shot without breaking, IIRC...

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