Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Timo on March 05, 2011, 12:14:31 am
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Got to thinking the other day about what part of the process I like the best.....Of course most bowyers would probly say the end... :P well I thought a good bit, trying to recollect at what point I get that "giddy feeling".
Opening up a log and watching a good clean stave pop out and and say "hey"?
The whistle of a sharp scraper, and the fine curls tumbling to the shop floor like down feathers?
That first bracing when the limbs arc into a perfect marriage?
So many things to choose from. Still can't decide.
What say ye?
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For me it's the first shot. I like the other, but I still get shivers and am amazed that I just built something that shoots an arrow and could be used for making meat or protection. I even have special arrows that I use for 'first shots'. some handplained western ceder 'logs' that I selfnocked and all. Kind of make it a ritual.
Bevan R
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"That first bracing when the limbs arc into a perfect marriage?'
It's like the second your child is born, after unimaginable stress and worry, that second you just know everything is alright and you can relax for the rest of your life. And doesn't look anything like you imagined, but so much more beautiful than you would of ever dreamed.
No, but probably when it's done and I can say "God, thank god that craps over with, uhg!"
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I agree with Bevan. For me the first shot is the best and really tells me how well I've done with the bow.
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toomanyknots said
No, but probably when it's done and I can say "God, thank god that craps over with, uhg!"
made me spit my drink on the keyboard! ;D ;D
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Not sure about the favorite part but their is a period right when I start floor tillering that is very refreshing. I like the feel of a floor tillered bow that I can flip over and do the other side and they feel the same. This is right before the final tiller which can get pretty intense, kind of like driving a race car but not fearing for your life. Steve
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for me its that first pull to full draw and it doesnt blow ;D
then i know i have made a bow :)
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I enjoy the earlier part of the process before I ever string the thing, you know, when you whittled that stave or board down to a 'bow shape'. You bring it in from the workshop, hold it up to the light, and see a personality forming as it whispers to you what kind of bow it might make some day when it grows up.
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The whistle of a sharp scraper, and the fine curls tumbling to the shop floor like down feathers?
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I really enjoy splitting a log into staves, especially osage. Looking at each one and trying to imagine what kind of bow is hiding inside.
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for me Tim, it's the chasing of the ring. The while time I'm chasing my head is running at a millions miles a hour with possibiloties. After that all tjose possibilities get decided by the stave, but I like the imagination part.
dave
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Nice question, I guess it's 'all of the above' for me.
Walking in the woods looking out for potential staves right through to that final wipe with beeswax polish.
Even the bits I moan on about not liking, the horn nocks, making strings, they all have their charm and quiet zen like qualities.
But yeah that first shot is great.
The feel of tools on wood gives that feeling of connection to the material, I just love it.
Del
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Nice question, I guess it's 'all of the above' for me.
Walking in the woods looking out for potential staves right through to that final wipe with beeswax polish.
Even the bits I moan on about not liking, the horn nocks, making strings, they all have their charm and quiet zen like qualities.
But yeah that first shot is great.
The feel of tools on wood gives that feeling of connection to the material, I just love it.
Del
Yep.
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I'm not very good at adding all the little details yet, but I love the wood itself. When I have settled on the tiller and I'm satisfied with the way it looks then I put all the hand tools away and go to sandin. Startin with a heavy grit and workin up to the polish. I just love the way the wood starts to speak to me. Sometimes it's in the knots, or the way the grain swirls. Sometimes the patterns within the growth ring are incredible! I'm an osage man so I know the wood has huge potential for strength and endurance, but when I first polish a newly made bow up that wood is gorgeous! Soon enough it will start to take on a completely different color, maturing the piece of wood into the weapon it was fashioned to be, but those first few moments when I can run my hands down her smooth, rich profile are heaven to me. Taking a piece of rough split firewood and turning into something so elegant... well, that's what makes me giddy!
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For me it's when I reach full draw on the tree for the first time and am able to exercise the limb and take my first shot.. Cause I know I have made a powerful weapon with m own hands.
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For me it's the smile on a new bowyer's face when they make their bow bend the first time. Or the determination on a kids face when they drive the wedge into an osage log and make it split. Or maybe to see a grown man dance around when their first shot hits the target. Helping people make bows and witnessing their joy is what trips my trigger.
George
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it is the utter amazement, after spending countless hours working the stave into a bow coaxing it along to getting it to the full draw stage, when upon full draw you hear a loud crack and watch the upper limb go flying through the air in slow motion.....priceless ;D
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I love every second of the whole process. Just being in the shop listening to tunes, every trouble you have in the "real world" just disappears, and the whole time thinking about the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you're done, if you can just keep the thing from blowing up in your face ;) Constantly thinking about how you can out-do your last bow, how you can make it look better, shoot sweeter - the beauty of the craft is you will never know everything, and there's always a way to do better. That's what does it for me!
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its spliting the log and seeing whats in store for this one. just never know what you will find.some times the bark lies.
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The first six arrows,starting with the West then the North, the East, the South the Earth and the Sky.
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i find sanding, polishing and smoothing out almost meditative...
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I wouldn't exactly call it a giddy feeling, but more a sense of triumph. Working with challenging staves (I seem to get more than my share), overcoming mistakes and hardships in general. Much like real life.........Art
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First brace because that's when the piece of wood in my hand takes it's first real step to being a bow.
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As we mature in our bow building skills, also do we in what part seems to get us excited. I used to really look forward to finishing a bow and still do , but after many many bows, I have an idea as to how an individual bow should turn out,so it is less of an attraction.
But yesterday.......
I was sowing some clover seed for one of the farmers that I hunt on. Just running a 4 wheeler with a seeder on back. Watching along the edges for any good osage trees. I spied a couple and after all the seed was sown I took a look. Most was pretty limby with a few maybes. Then I walked on into a small timbered draw and ...Holey moley did I get giddy.
I Found two osage trees in the 12" range that were nothing short of spectacular. One of which I could not find a single flaw. I noticed my heart rate elevated, caught myself speaking out loud to who? Then realize the this is the part that drives me now. wondering about ring ratios,what may be hidden underneath, how many staves could I get..... Now making plans for a time to go get um! Oh.... and I can drive right to them. Gotta love that! ;D
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i second the drive right to them.at this stage in life that means more or less bow wood.
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I'll vote for finding a tree and harvesting it. I just cut down a locust tree last week from the back of my place that I have been watching grow for 10 years now.
We'll see how it does in a couple more years I guess... Oh, and I could drive the tractor right up to it. ;D
Cleaning off the bark of an osage stave and seeing what is under it is kinda like opening a birthday present. Ya just never know what you'll get... :)
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Process or journey? Yes, finding the tree, to finish, to first shot!
Like my first trip to Fla. at the age of 8. Riding in the back of Dad's Olds, laying in the back dash! ;D
Agree with Art, like life, too! Another reason why I'm not a fan of board bows.
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i guess im simple ...i just like "it" !
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i guess im simple ...i just like "it" !
Amen to that Ken
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I think the most exciting part for me is the first low brace. I can usually tell a lot about the bow at that point. The first shot tells me if the bow will be a shooter or a good shooter. I sometimes make the first shot before the tillering is complete but I am sure everything is lining up and that the limbs are bending evenly and together. At this time the handle is unshaped and the tips are wide and thick.
Imagining the bow inside the stave can also be an exciting moment because I try to let the stave tell me what it wants to be. Succeeding with the staves wishes is very rewarding also.
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I like the whole process(except sanding.....I HATE sanding ;)) but it's probably the first arrow that does it for me.
Darcy :)
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I like the whole process(except sanding.....I HATE sanding ;)) but it's probably the first arrow that does it for me.
Darcy :)
The finsihing process used to be just a chore but now it's one of my favorite parts. I like working through the grits and getting the wood baby butt smooth and watching the grain just pop out as you do, and laying that first coat of finish on after is pretty sweet too. I do like most of the whole process but I still don't really like the roughing out stage. Everything up to floor tillering is still a bore and a chore for me.
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I'm with you Nathen. I enjoy the finishing work. That's where the bow gets it soul ;)
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I like hunting the wood for #1 the rest(#2) is just to hard to deside.
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For me, it is rounding up the corners, and shaping the grip and tips. Now it looks like a piece of art instead of a block of wood. Jim
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It's hard to say, but I think it would be the final tillering stages. The point where you are super close to target weight. Your confidence starts to grow, and you start to imagine actually hunting with the bow that not too long ago was just a non bending lifeless chunk of wood.
I also really enjoy sinew backing bows, I have one just about to that stage and am getting excited to get going at it.
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The time I spend in the process from first sight of the tree till the fletching disappears into the sweet spot on a deer - every moment that I am totally present in this action is bliss.
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Not sure what I like best,depends on the day,some days I love serching and cutting the tree,others roughing them in and still others tillering,don't care for finish work anytime
but it has to be done. ;) :) :) I guess what I really like is the challenge,it seem to go from one problem to be solved to another,always looking for the prefect piece of wood but after 20 years ,ant found it yet. Still looking . :) Maybe one day I will find it. :)
Pappy
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My favorite part of bow building can happen at any time during the building process... It's the "aha!" moment when you realize you've found a solution to the obstacle the wood tried to throw at you during the bulding process... It can happen anywhere from felling the tree to shooting that first (or 500th :P ) arrow to wiping on that final coat of finish to anywhere in between... The whole process is about problem solving and I think I like the "aha" moments the best... Oh and also the smell of freshly cut wood and the smell of tru oil. ;D
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It is from bow to bow, but I've gotta say I love the 1st brace the most. Just feeling it shift in your hand when it goes from a stick to a bow, it feels alive even if it isn't being drawn. That's my favorite.
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After countless bows, I still get giddy after full draw. Jawge
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I like it all...but there's nothing like the first arrow out of a new bow for me ! :)