Want to start primitive but I dont know where and how to start

[frassettor]

I shoot fiberglass laminated longbows and have for a long time. I have had the desire to go Primitive for a very long time but as the title states, I am not sure how to or how to go about it. I need a mentor. If there is someone out there that can help me fulfill my dream of making a bow and primitive arrows, I would be forever indebt.

Rick

rkfrassetto@hotmail.com

[JoJoDapyro]

Where are you at? What experience do you have building things? What tools do you have? There are a lot of people here who would love to help you out.

[Pat B]

Rick, where do you live. Maybe one of our members lives near you. A good place to start is by checking out a few personal websites like the one George(Jawge) Tsoukalas offers. We have a link at the top of the "How To and Build Along" page. Also join in of the forum by asking questions. You'll get lots of encouragement and advise.
 Welcome to PA. If you like archery, you'll love primitive archery.

ps. I'm going to move this to the "Bows" section for more exposure for you.

  Pat

[Arrowind]

Here is  one of my favorite build alongs.  Very helpful.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.0.html

[JW_Halverson]

Having found this website, you have broken the seal on the King Tut's Tomb of primitive archery lore and knowledge. A good next step would be to subscribe to Primitive Archer Magazine just so that the constant input of articles and stories will keep the fire stoked.  Then you may want to visit the many advertisers on this site to pick up a copy of the Traditional Bowyer's Bible, volume 1.  That book has more information in it than you will be able to soak up in 5 years.  It even has a chapter devoted to making a bow from a board. 

Pay particular attention to that chapter, follow it closely, and you will be able to knock out something fairly usable with your first effort.  Be sure, of course, to post pictures of your progress here on the Primitive Archer forum....and then we will digitally mentor you thru the process. 

Welcome to the addiction!

[burchett.donald]

   He's from Wisconsin guy's...   I was in your shoes once and bought TBB1, but that was before I had this site.
                                                                                                                          Don

[missilemaster]

Where abouts in Wisconsin are you? there are a few of us in northern IL.

[mikekeswick]

Just buy the TBB vol1 and make bows. Then buy vol 2 and make more bows. Repeat and then repeat again and you'll be a master. Making a wooden bow is so much easier to get started on than making a glass bow so just dive on in! Minimal tools needed just determination.

[Del the cat]

Just buy the TBB vol1 and make bows. Then buy vol 2 and make more bows. Repeat and then repeat again and you'll be a master. Making a wooden bow is so much easier to get started on than making a glass bow so just dive on in! Minimal tools needed just determination.

... and patience.... and wood   
Good to have another convert on board.
Just jump in and make something long and wide... doesn't matter if it ends up as 20# at 26" you will learn a lot with that first try.
Del

[PEARL DRUMS]

This place is far and away the best place to start and learn and share. Better than any book and better than any video. Here you get a collection of knowledge from hundreds of bowyers, not just one or two than can afford to publish a book. Stick around here and read, read, read. Open threads that are asking for help and see why they are asking and what the answers may be.

Enjoy the ride

[tlow13]

Hey I am new myself and I just finished my first bow. It came out at 25# at 28 inches. I made it from a piece of red oak I found at lowes. I found a drawknife on craigslist and used that for most of the wood removal, and finished up with a rasp and some files. It's not the prettiest bow but it works. I made a string making jig from instructions online, and bought a spool of B50 dacron on amazon for pretty cheap so I could make my own string. I didn't even use a tillering tree but instead used a mirror, took pictures and used a hanging scale that I got online as well.
I wandered around on this forum for months reading and looking at build alongs. I read the traditional bowyers bible volume 1, and really the best way to learn is to make some wood shavings of your own. I have some c clamps that I used to clamp the board to my balcony at my college apartment.
Trust me if I can make a primitive bow, you can to! Good luck.

[bubby]

The best thing to do is get some wood, a board, a sapling anything and get started that's the way with all the free advice that you want, or don't want right here

[bradsmith2010]

yes just get started,,,, 

[frassettor]

I live in Neenah,wi

[JW_Halverson]

Ha!  Yesterday I tripped over a manhole cover made in Neenah! 

You got a Menards close by, check out the hickory and white oak 1x2 and 1x3's.  You want the grain to be straight as possible.  Anywhere where grain runs out the side of the stick is a place where a break will start. 

A spokeshave, a rasp or two, and maybe even a kitchen knife...if it removes wood, it works.  Heck, with enough patience and sandpaper you could make a bow!