My first attempt at a Hazel bow did not work out all that well. Hazel is a soft white wood and I don't think that the piece I used was dry enough.

So here is another try with a drier piece. I removed the bark and shaped with a draw knife.

What turned out to be the bottom limb has a little forward bend and character to it. Makes tillering more interesting.

I heat treated the belly to harden the wood a bit. I set my 1500 watt heat gun onto an adjustable table lamp and moved it periodically. It took almost six hours to do!

To strengthen the back I softened up some rawhide dog chewies and used white glue to attach to the back. They were not long enough so I had to overlay the pieces.

I held them down with Vet wrap while they dried.

Next I ground out some antler tips from a deer I got several years ago. I tried to make them look like arrow tips. They still need some fine tuning and work on the string grooves.

The Hazel bow at rest.

The tiller is not great... a little stiff around the fades I think.

Specs are 41# @ 26" which is my draw length. 68" nock to nock.

I still have some work to do...fine tune tips, maybe adjust tiller a little, stain and attach a leather handle.

This build went better than the first and I learn more and more with each bow build I try.

Thanks for watching.

SD

Nice job. Looks good from here. I never tried hazel. Bjrogg

My builds are still rather crude and unsophisticated. I am in awe of some of the builds I see from the guys on Primitive Archery site.

SD

I kinda like a crude unsophisticated well tillered selfbow. You did good. Is that just your second bow? Or just your second hazel?

Bjrogg

My second hazel. I have half a dozen failures to my credit including a couple of board bows.

So far I have one good maple board bow that has stood the test of time and an elder berry bow that may or may not hold together.

I like getting advice and feedback from guys like fdp, PaSteve, PearlDrum and George. All you guys have so much to give.

SD

It looks like you used that advice well. Some people get upset, but I’m like you. I like good honest advice. If I’m doing something wrong I would appreciate someone telling me what and why.

My advice would be enjoy that one.

Bjrogg

I’m a newby also. And from what I’m learning is. The curves of a typical tiller don’t always come from all staves. Some may need to have stiff, thicker non bending areas. I hope one of the more experienced guys will weigh in. The bows I’ve made that ended up with less than optimal tiller. Didn’t feel as good at the shot. More shock and jump in the hand.

I'm partial to "crude" looking good shooting self bows myself.

That one looks good.

I think the tiller looks great. Nicely done. Jawge

Nice looking bow from where I am setting.

Hugh

Nice job. Hope my next attempt comes out as well. Good luck with it.

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