Hello Everyone:
I have been a lurker on this site for several years and just got approved by Pat B. to join. I live in Abbotsford, B.C. and am a novice builder. I took a bow building course in 2016 with Jamie MacDonald of Ravensbeak and continued on my own since then. Help also came in the form of the Traditional Bowyer Bibles and youtube videos from Clay Hayes and others.
There is so much to learn and it has been interesting turning book knowledge into actual practical experience. Not having any staves, I started with board bows. I have now had the opportunity to try different varieties of wood such as hazel, vine maple, elm, osage and yew. I have had to learn, along the way, how to boil, steam, heat gun in recurve and twists, experiment with glues and backing material, leather work and of course tried building different types of bow designs.
I have broken a lot along the way but try to learn something with each build.
Looking forward to continuing to learn from all of you and to contributing to the discussions when I can.
Regards to all,
Colin