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Author Topic: What is the absolute minimum you have used?  (Read 5326 times)

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Offline Slackbunny

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What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« on: February 19, 2012, 09:52:04 pm »
We're all familiar with the expensive shop equipment and power tools that can be handy during the building process. Bandsaws, table saws, and the like. We're also familiar with the assortment of specialized hand tools like spokeshaves, drawknives, assorted files, and cabinet scrapers, which can make short work of a stave in the hands of an experienced bowyer. Many of us consider at least the hand tools to be must-haves if you plan on doing any amount of bowyering.

But my question is, what is the absolute minimum tools that you have ever used start to finish on a bow build?

As for myself, I'm dissappointed to say that the "hand tool only" projects I have started have all ended in a small explosion. The only successfull builds I've had thus far have involved table saw, band saw, and an assortment of hand tools, spokeshave and wood rasp being the most commonly used.
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blackhawk

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2012, 09:56:32 pm »
hatchet from felling to shooting
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Offline WoodBenderDW

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2012, 10:01:50 pm »
I made a couple of board bows just a portable belt sander, a rasp and two chain saw files.  I made a board bow with a draw knife and a palm sander.  I used a jig saw on another one.
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Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2012, 10:03:39 pm »
A branch that is picked very carefully could be made into a bow with a pocket knife....just depends on what you want, and how complex of a bow you want.
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Debating is an intellectual exchange of differing views...with no winners.

Offline bubby

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2012, 10:16:56 pm »
hand ax, rasp, chain saw file and a pocket knife, i still do most of my scraping with a pocket knife, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline sleek

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2012, 10:18:23 pm »
MY military survival knife only. I made many bows with it only and they look and work great.
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Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2012, 10:26:52 pm »
I've made a bow with stones and antler. Jawge
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Offline sleek

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2012, 10:43:50 pm »
And I though I was big and bad,,,,, thanks jawge..... for deflating my ego lol...
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Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline Slackbunny

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2012, 11:07:45 pm »
I don't know if I'd have the patience to use only stone and antler. Maybe that will come in time, but for now I like the quick and easy wood removal that comes from using a spokeshave and rasp. 
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Offline RyanY

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2012, 11:12:30 pm »
Draw knife and a file for me.
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Offline sharpend60

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2012, 12:07:18 am »
Hatchet and a pocket knife.

Current trade bow btw.
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Offline Josh B

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2012, 12:19:35 am »
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27311.msg365187.html#msg365187


I made this one in a truckstop parking lot with a bayonet and a leatherman.  Josh
« Last Edit: February 20, 2012, 12:23:38 am by Gun Doc »
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2012, 02:43:19 am »
Quote from: George Tsoukalas on February 19, 2012, 10:26:52 pm
I've made a bow with stones and antler. Jawge

I am surprised it took 5 or so posts for someone on here to say that,  :laugh:
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline 15DLongbow

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2012, 04:02:29 am »
Still working on my first bow but so far i've only used a 4-way Rasp, Sur-form, coping saw and clamps :D....granted i didnt have to fell a tree with this board lol
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Offline Dazv

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Re: What is the absolute minimum you have used?
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2012, 05:23:35 am »
Axe rasp and a scraper(i also use a nock file for nocks but you could carve them in with a knife)
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