| From: Tim Baker
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Jim Hamm Tillering
In its long history few if any figures have had a positive effect on natural archery as large as Jim Hamm's
There were his early articles and books that helped natural-materials archery rise up from the fiberglass dark ages, and the husbanding and publishing of the archery- world-changing TBB series, but this piece will focus on a more tangibly valuable contribution of his -- Jim Hamm Tillering. Simple in principle and execution but so valuable to the bow and the bowmaker. Without it the process of tillering a bow to precise design draw weight and length, without over-straining the wood, was a dice throw.
For those not familiar with the technique, here it is in condensed form: Once floor-tilering is finished, the bow bending several inches, with effort, and bending evenly and to the proper shape, string it with a barely loose string. Pull it to half it's intended draw weight, check the tiller shape and make needed corrections. Once curving properly and balanced brace it at normal brace height and draw the bow to full intended draw weight, usually somewhere around 14 inches, give or take. Remove small amounts of belly wood, keeping intended tiller shape, then draw to full weight again, draw length an inch or two longer now. Repeat, removing ever thinner amounts of wood, each time pulling to full draw weight, making minor corrections, each time draw length advancing an inch or so. When one inch short of design draw length you've finished, without having over-strained the bow a jot. Sand it and round the corners a bit. As you shoot the bow it will settle into it's precise intended draw weight.
Jim is no longer with us in any material sense, still, every time I make a bow and, of course, use this system a thank-you sense rises involuntarily out of me.
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| From: Altitude Sickness
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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And thank you Tim for posting. And for all your contributions over the years
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| From: fdp
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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That's my go to method.
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| From: Batman
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Seems that something TRAGIC happened to Mr. HAMM but I can't remember what? I know that He was on the cover of a TB MAG. Can somebody chime in? GOOD HUNTING & BLESSED BE!
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| From: Bassmaster
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Jim Hamm, and Tim Baker were 2 of my biggest influences when it came to making bows. Thanks to both.
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| From: KyStickbow
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Good stuff…thanks for sharing. I have one of Jim’s books…and actually ordered all four volumes of the TBB’s earlier this morning.
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| From: KyStickbow
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Good stuff…thanks for sharing. I have one of Jim’s books…and actually ordered all four volumes of the TBB’s earlier this morning.
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| From: stkbow
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Thanks Tim. When the whittlin bug had embedded itself deeply in my heart and brain I was fortunate to have known Jim and spend some time shooting and visiting about bow building. From this time spent and your combined efforts to produce TBB my life’s path was laid in front of me. I saw from these writings and my brief exposure to Jim this was not just a craft to be developed but more a lifestyle to embrace. Every time I grab a stick, at start or finish, my mind recalls something you folks published or he had told me. Everyone involved in those writings hold a special place in me, and my whittlin. Thanks for the post.
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| From: Jeff Durnell
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| Date: 17-Dec-21 |
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Jim lives on in our reverance for heritage, quality of work, attention to detail, good, efficient, dependable, historical, simple bows and humble homage for our anscestry like Torges, Fetrow, Charles, Baker, and too many others to name. They've enlightened and influenced us, instructed and inspired us, and not only in regards to bow making. We're just carrying the torch for a while. Earn it. Hold it high. Help them light the way.
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| From: Arvin
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| Date: 20-Dec-21 |
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TBB was where I got my start. So I must have got a lot from it to be where I am today with my bow making abilities . Not the best but good. Ok I pat myself on the back To much!!! ?????? happy holidays everyone Arvin
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| From: Arvin
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| Date: 20-Dec-21 |
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Well put Jeff!!!!
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| From: George Tsoukalas
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| Date: 20-Dec-21 |
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Nicely said, Jeff. Thanks, Tim, for reminding us how he tillered. Jim had a tremendous influence on the making all natural bows. I wish I had the opportunity to meet him. May his memory be eternal. Jawge
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| From: gifford
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| Date: 22-Dec-21 |
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Glad to see you posting again, Tim. You and Jim Hamm both were very helpful all those years ago at the first Ozark Selfbow Jamboree which became MoJAM.
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