My 1st bow--Critique & Advice Please & Knots

[RedBear1313]

unfortunately, I don't have a full shop with all the tools I want, one day maybe.

so for now, Im just gonna do it the hard way with hand tools, but that's kinda how I want my first bow anyway.  so that means one side at a time and that was the plan, cut out the profile first.

as of now it's 

66" total
4"x1" handle with slight swell in center
1 3/4" long fade to
1 5/8" limb
1/2" tip                           I used a flexible tape measure to make the limb width gradually smaller towards the tips

[dbb]

Handtools only is actually better in the beginning....
That way you have to go slow 
 Patience is a bowyers best friend

[RedBear1313]

Here's what I have so far, a little bit more twist than what I originally thought, but still not bad.
and the very slight modification I did to the handle area.

[SLIMBOB]

Looks like you making head way on it.  Ready to start taking wood off the belly and get it floor tillered.

[RedBear1313]

A little bit more shaving off the sides first, not quite to my lines.

shouldn't I shape the handle before I slim down the limbs?

[SLIMBOB]

You will have different people answer that different ways.  I shape my handle out now to its finished width.  May be leave it a little wide but mostly finished width.  Some guys leave it wide so they can shape it for string tracking issues. Not a bad idea, I just heat bend it to fix it if needed.

[PEARL DRUMS]

You will have different people answer that different ways.  I shape my handle out now to its finished width.  May be leave it a little wide but mostly finished width.  Some guys leave it wide so they can shape it for string tracking issues. Not a bad idea, I just heat bend it to fix it if needed.

Yup

[RedBear1313]

so it would be ok to rough shape it first?

and since the handle/fade area does not bend, would it be ok to put some finger grooves around the handle? like on the front part?

or would this be too much ring violation?

[SLIMBOB]

Same answer as the cut in shelf.  Doable, but it's one more place to risk losing the whole thing.  I would not, if I were you.  Make it durable with as few weak spots as is possible at this point.  Focus on getting it tillered correctly as that will be your biggest challenge and accomplishment.  Later on, once you have mastered the important stuff.  Then you have some ability to take a few risks with that type of thing.  Just my thoughts on it.

[Slackbunny]

I agree with Slimbob. I spent so much time on perfecting the handle on my first bow attempt that I was crushed when it blew all to pieces shortly into tillering. I would leave it plain and simple at least until you have it tillered out and know that its a shooter.

[PEARL DRUMS]

If making the front of the grip to match your fingers is important to you, then Id suggest gluing cork on and shaping that. Then wrap it all with a leather grip.

[dbb]

Rough out the sides of the handle if you want,but keep the belly flat.
Its easier to to get it to stay straight on the tilleringtree that way.

[blackhawk]

I just rough shape the handle to my lines,and leave the finish shaping n such when its ready for some shooting... and +1 on using cork if ya wanna custom feel grip for now....BUT...don't worry about that stuff as nearly as much as tillering it...as slim says that is going to be your biggest obstacle to learn and overcome..so focus on tillering more than any other thing when ya get there...one step at a time man,and TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

[Bryce]

I used to leave my handles a little wide that way you can make adjustments to string alignment. I don't really do it anymore bc I can just as easily steam and bend the handle accordingly, probably an extra 10 mins of work I could avoid had I left it a little wide.


The advice your getting is solid and consistent, and so far your build looks great. Keep it up

[RedBear1313]

ok, let's say I really want an arrow shelf, is the one I have in there so drastic I might ruin it later if I go ahead and include it?