It all started when I started talking selfbows with Dire Wolf and Fred Arnold. I picked there brain every chance I got. And they gladly answered everyone of my many questions. They were both really good guys. That really loved making selfbows. Then I won a Steve Gardner selfbow on the Jim Fetrow auction on here. And I was amazed at how well an all wood bow can shoot. Steve also helped me with my many questions. Another great guy. Then I even tried making 3 selfbows. Two broke. I have one light weight Hickory bow that’s still shooting. I will give it a try again some day. Because I have 3 Osage staves that I traded Fred Arnold for. About the time he did his Bendy handle selfbow pass around. I’m looking forward to working that golden wood Fred. Thanks again buddy. Here are 3 selfbows.

I just traded Harry for the one on the left. Steve Gardner’s in the middle. And my Ash selfbow that broke is on the right. I wanted to compare mine to their design. Look how tiny Steve Gardner’s tips are. I have gotten a few ideas I’m going to try on my next selfbow from looking and shooting these selfbows. I have not tried working with Osage yet. There are two other selfbows I would like to shoot. I would like try a selfbow made by Pearl Drums who has also answered many of my selfbow questions. And also Jeff Durnell’s Selfbow. I did come close to pulling the trigger on a twisted limbs bow. About the time he made is 100th bow. Twisted limbs makes a really nice selfbow too. I enjoy his video’s on u tube. Anyone else fascinated with selfbows???

I don't know if you are familiar with a tillering gizmo or not, it will go a long way in preventing future bow failures from improper tillering.

Eric send me a pm.

Eric, Can you try to familiarize us who don't know? Thank you. Trap

The best selfbow you'll ever shoot is one made by yourself.

I’m more than fascinated with them. I’m afraid I’m totally addicted to selfbows and many of the things that go along with them.

I encourage you to try that Osage Tonto . It’s pretty forgiving and a very good performance selfbow wood. Chasing a ring might seem difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it most bowyers find it relaxing.

About those narrow tips. One of the most common problems people have is that all of their bend is right out of the handle. That’s where the most strain is on the bow and where it wants to bend . Most beginners don’t realize how thin and or narrow the outer part of limbs need to be to get them to bend. It’s very important to get that strain spread evenly over the whole limb.

Having said that many bowyers like to leave the tips a bit wide until bow is braced and drawing a bit. That gives us a little wiggle room for string alignment. Also the last aprox 7 or 8” of limb we leave a bit stiffer. I still like to get the tips to the point that they are just barely not bending. Reducing their physical weight.

Eric’s tillering gizmo has helped a lot of new and veteran bowyers. I haven’t tried it but have seen some bows that others have used it on. I believe he has a video on how to use it to.

Bjrogg

PS if you ever have questions don’t be afraid to ask me. I’d love to see you get that Osage bending.

I simply adore em.

I like others too. Not too crazy about bows with fiberglass on them, but I like playing with bamboo backed bows, trilams, sinew and rawhide, whatever. But there's just something about a good, reliable, sexy workhorse of a selfbow that suits me just perfect. While I like making and shooting the others sometimes, when I get down to business and head out hunting... selfbow every time. I can't help it. I think the only non-selfbow I've hunted with in 20 years was a sinew backed osage recurve, about '05, and we let the air out of one over in Ohio.

Thanks Bjrogg.

Here she is, Surf & Turf, 65# @ 28", sinew & sturgeon backed osage.

This is what us old archers think of when we think of 'selfies' ;^)

wow...that deer and that bow look familiar... mine is sinew/snake backed black locust...

Check out Kramer Ammons on You tube

I wish I had the time and skills to crank out nice selfbows.

I wish I had the time and skills to crank out nice selfbows.

Love those selfies Jeff.

While you're posting on here you could be scraping wood. It doesn't take long to make a selfbow if you're decisive about it.

Since the early 90s that is all I have shot. I love self bows too. Jawge

Taken last week with a 45lb , sinew backed Osage bow made by Forrest Shattuck of Goldenwood bows. Fun shooting bow.

Love selfbows. There is no better time than the present to get started. Good luck and don't be shy about asking questions. There are some very experienced selfbow bowyers on this site more than willing to share their advice. Which reminds me... I have to finish tillering a hickory bow this evening.

Nice looking bows Jeff.

I also always admired Jim Davis’s two piece self bows. Another one willing to share his know how.

My youtube channel and gizmo video were deleted by youtube for violating their rules. Actually it was algorithm that sniffed out gun related stuff, I had about a 20 second video of my 1760 flintlock fowler build on my channel, I think that is what got me.

I will put it up again when I get it from my granddaughter, she saved it when she filmed it.

Kramer Ammons gizmo video is a little off the mark on how to use a gizmo. I gave him some corrections in the comment section but he has yet to see my post and reply.

I want to build a bow someday

You don't actually build a selfbow. You tear down a stave.

Some people say build a self bow. And some people’s call it tear down a stave. I sure like those French fri potaters a ahhh. ;)

I wonder if anybody tried tillering a self bow with a lawn mower blade. :)

Yes, lawn mower blades make good draw knives to.

Wait for Eric to make his video available. I looked at Kramer Ammons web site and the bow on his home page is a mess. Use Eric's advise when available.

Didn’t Eric post something on here on how to make his Gizmo thing a ma-jigger thingy?

If it Makes tillering easier I’m willing to give that Gizmo a try.

It takes about 85% of the experienced vision aspect out of it. Great tool to learn with. Eventually your eyes will see what the gizmo shows.

Well then,I have to get my hands on one of those Gizmo’s then. So far what I have learned. Is you can’t use Sassafras’s or Ash like Osage. The design of the bow needs to be different. You need to start with a much wider limb design right after the fades. Like at least 2 1/2” wide. Those are also very poor wood choices for the beginner. I enjoyed watching a bow take shape from the staves I split. I have learned you want to pick the right tree. Straight grained with no limbs for at least 6’. Splitting the staves went pretty well for me. But I also learned a trick you can do with a skill saw. Cut like a 3/4” deep cut down the log and you will get a nice straight split. And if you take down a Hickory in the Summer you can just peel the bark right off very easily. And then that is the back of your bow. Learning to use a tool correctly is fun too. I got to use a draw knife for the first time. That I traded a Leather Waller for. Another good trade on here. I have been looking for another Pignut Hickory tree. Just haven’t found the right one yet. Also I have learned to slow down on tillering. You don’t want to take off to much wood to fast. Because you can’t put it back on. ;) It is just plain enjoyable. So if your thinking on giving it a try. “What are you waiting for”?

You are learning.

I like to think there’s a bow in there. All I have to do is take away everything that isn’t a bow, but make sure I leave everything that is.

Bjrogg

I would imagine posting a link to another bow site is a no-no; if you go over to the Primitive Archer site and look in their how to section I have a sticky thread that I resurrected about making a gizmo build and how to use it correctly.

PhotoBucket zaped all my pictures in the old thread, I have replaced them all.

That's the most fun and exciting part of the learning curve, when everything is new, and we only get to go through it once. Enjoy the ride.

I was working on a bow last night and got to thinking how much has changed for me in a decade. All I wanted or had in mind for the first 10-12 bows was just getting something I could shoot, fit and finish wasn't even on the radar. Then as time went by and my confidence increased all I think about is how I'm going to finish a bow. The fact it will shoot well and hold up has become a given, for the most part. I look at raw staves just imagining what grip leather I will use, how to incorporate buffalo horn, skins or no skins, over lays or no overlays, what material for them and so on. All of this while a split stave is staring at me with bark and sapwood on it still. Its been a great adventure and the dear friends I've met along the way have become my primary friend's and lifelong friends. It has changed my life completely.

Thanks for posting that Eric. Fred Arnold told me about Primitive Archery. But I had trouble getting on it so I gave up. Maybe I should give it a try again.

I'm in the shop covered in bright yella dust and jammin to some AC/DC, decided to check my phone, and find myself nodding my head in total agreement with Chris' post. I'd like to add a little to what he said, but I'm gonna get back to it.

Good stuff.

Yeah Primitive Archery site can be a pain in the butt to get on and post the first couple times. After a few posts all those questions go away and it’s really easy then. It’s spam protection I was told.

Bjrogg

LOL... I'm constantly looking at trees as I drive down the road, so much in fact, my wife threatened to drive...

Hutch

Just a warning,,it's very addictive and the only cure is another selfbow.........

Hutch, my girlfriend tells me the same thing. I tried to explain that there's a couple of really nice bows in that tree we just passed but she just doesn't understand. Great post Pearl. I'm certainly not in your league but can totally relate to your post.

My late wife used to kid me by saying "if there was a stipped down Playboy centerfold leaning up against a really straight osage tree along the side of the road; as we drove by you would say: "DID YOU SEE THAT OSAGE TREE"!

hahahahahaha.... Now that is funny.....

Now i hafta clean up my coffee

Hutch

I don’t know why but I’m drawn to Oddballs staves like one.

I averaged 2 a month last year with different woods. Couple are sinew backed.I have 4 in the works right now, 1 Osage,2 Birch, and an Elm. Good medicine for me in these trying times. Here are some of the ones I built last year.

I averaged 2 a month last year with different woods. Couple are sinew backed.I have 4 in the works right now, 1 Osage,2 Birch, and an Elm. Good medicine for me in these trying times. Here are some of the ones I built last year.

I averaged 2 a month last year with different woods. Couple are sinew backed.I have 4 in the works right now, 1 Osage,2 Birch, and an Elm. Good medicine for me in these trying times. Here are some of the ones I built last year.

Sorry for the 3 post. Left to right, White oak,sinew backed Elm, unfinished Birch,sinew backed Osage sapling,Hickory, Elm,Bamboo Siyah bow,Short Osage,and other half of the White Oak stave,and American Hornbeam.

Nice!

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