Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: wapiti1997 on January 31, 2013, 08:14:26 pm
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I've been discussing with a local program director Byron, at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass the possibility of a selfbow workshop at their facility.
My question to bowyers and instructors here, is anyone interested in teaching / assisting with this? I plan to assist and select and cut staves of osage from the property, it has an abundance, to reduce the cost to participants.
Since there is nothing like this happening here, I think it would be a huge hit and introduce many to the fulfilling arena of traditional archery and the art of selfbows.. What month, how many days? Any suggestions?
If someone would like to discuss this with me, 859 333 9691 is my cell
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Late winter or early spring, Feb.Early March and 3 days if you plan on teaching them much. It would be tough for them to complete a bow in less than that from scratch, especially Osage. :) some may but most beginners I have seen can't. What part of KY. ?? :)
Pappy
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Wow wapiti, that's an awesome idea and a massive undertaking.
I tend to agree with Pappy that from scratch, a split log to bow is 3 days would be difficult to pull off with osage. Rings would have to be chase. I never been fortunate to work with a "straight" piece of osage. All that I've worked with have had to be heat corrected in someway, usually in several session to remove twists, humps, even up limb r/d... I suppose if all of that was done prior to the event and the staves were near floor tiller stage (which they would need to be to do the heat corrections anyhow) it might be possible.
Pappy and Twin Oaks pull off a bow building clinic a couple times a year for the Boy Scouts. But, have you seen the facilities at Twin Oaks? Something like 8 to 10 vices and probably a few more work stages than that, bandsaws, belt sander, scrapers and rasps galore.
Now, that I've thrown a wet blanket on your plans, if I can help let me know.
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Where at in Kentucky? I'm a beginner myself, but would help all I could.
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This is between Lexington and Frankfort. There are some pretty clean straight osage around, it's literally a weed tree that most landowners want eliminated.. Would hickory be a better stave? They teach several primitive skills classes, mostly for kids at this place.
Personally, I think it would be beneficial if this year's class, cut, split and rough out next year's staves... and so on.
The property is almost 600 acres..
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How many days does this course run? And what is the age of the kids? I'm sure most kids would like cut down a tree, most would enjoy splitting it. But, you're probably going to lose a lot of interest in the roughing out part. Heck, I don't enjoy roughing out a bow and I use a bandsaw for most of it. I sure wouldn't like doing it without the pay off of a bow at the end of my effort. Unless of course, I'm volunteering my time to help new bowyers get started in this hobby.
I'm making a bunch of assumptions here trying to work this out in my head. I'm guessing this is weekend course, which could be completely wrong. So, the first year's students cut, split and rough out a bow. The second year's students make the bows. Then the 3rd year's students cut, split and rough out a bow for the 4th year's students?? Is that what I'm hearing???
Hickory would be easier. It's usually straighter with less tendancies for a propeller twist than osage and you don't have to chase a ring, just peel off the bark and there's the back of the bow.
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I might be able to help depending on when it is and what I have going on at the time. I'm about 2 hours north of you.
Hickory needs to be very dry to make a good bow. I think osage is a good wood for beginners. Chasing a ring is fairly simple as long as they are not to thin.
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The bow making course would be targeted at adults or at least young adults. My suggestion was to cut staves now for next year, then the first class works those staves and if time allows, they cut staves for the following year's class, which some may very well repeat and get to work a stave they cut from a tree...
It's just a thought at this time, brainstorming more than anything. People should use their hands and minds for more than texting and surfing... This is something that could make a real difference in someone's life.
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Sign me up to help, pending the dates. Sounds like a great plan to me. I could come help ya cut staves now.
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Well, nothing is set in stone. My thoughts are to have it during late March or Early April, the Kentucky Tradfest is the first weekend in April. What if this was held during the week or the weekend before, then the interested students and instructors could also go to the Tradfest which is 25 miles away and compete with their bows?..
Again, just brainstorming..
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We usually use Hickory for the scouts and also a lot of it at the Classic,we do have them straight and floor tillered,we will have a demo before it starts,splitting/laying out and roughing out and floor tillering the bow to show them how we got to where it is.We also keep them in a large hot box when they aren't working on them to insure they stay dry. Depending on how many you expect it will be tough to split/debark and chase a ring not to mention straighting,
I know there are some out there but I have seen very little Osage that don't need at least a little tweaking. The ones you have there that know what they are doing and want to help will stay really busy if you have more than 5 or 6 beginners. I can promise you that. Not trying to discourage you ,just throwing in some reality.
Lot of work to pull these off but well worth the effort if you can get the help that are committed to seeing it through. :)
Pappy
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Thanks for the insights Pappy! That's why I'm asking questions. There are plenty of hickory to cut too..
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Wapiti, did you get a chance to do this yet? If not I'm interested in helping out, I'm in Taylorsville Ky.
Chad
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Hickory board bows may be an option that would be very possible in the time frame. You could then do a demo on splitting out/working down staves. Just a thought. I am about 3hrs west could possibly lend a hand.
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Im still in if you are still doing this. I have tools and a bowyers bench that I could bring. Also might be able to donate some staves to help get started.
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Sounds like a great idea, if and when you decide to hold this let me know. I would be willing to volunteer as an instructor if I could maybe get a few staves to offset some of my air fare costs.
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I'm no expert bowyer but I am not a total novice either. I'm a couple of hours north of you, I could likely lend a hand if you're still thinking about doing this and still need some help. I bet some of the guys from the Tradfest would be willing to assist too they are a good bunch of folks.
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I would be game Joe.
Tracy
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Haven't heard from this in a while,the starting thread is well over a year old. :-\
Pappy
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I was hoping this idea would get going. Seems like a great opportunity to learn and to pass on some knowledge. :-\
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Somebody should pm joe and let him know that he's acquiring some willing helpers ;D
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Somebody should pm joe and let him know that he's acquiring some willing helpers ;D
Yeah, or go cut all his Osage!! >:D
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If you want to go the board route I have about 240 board ft of riff and quarter sawn white oak up for the taking most is bow worthy. I could rip it any width needed and joint it flat on one side. If you need help splitting some hickory to start the drying for a future event just let me know I'm not far from you. I also have a vice/tiller tree that will fit into a truck hitch you could use if needed.
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We have a small workshop planned, some maple was cut last year and some osage this march, of course I have some osage put away as well to contribute. I'm not certain which weekend it is scheduled, so I'll have to get back to you. The more mentors we have the more participants we could have..
Thanks!
And I don't think it would be possible to cut all of the osage... :D
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Joe,
Let me know when and where..........you'll need arrows to shoot from the bows. ;)
I'll be glad to help in some arrow building instruction or what ever is needed. Let me know early enough and I could have a few straightened cane shafts for arrow building.
DBar
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Bill,
That would be awesome! You should visit soon and fling some arrows!
Joe
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Joe, let me know when the workshop is. I've just turned in my request for days off for the rest of the year, but I might be able to squeeze another weekend out of my boss.
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They have a military (wounded warrior) weekend with a bow workshop scheduled in January, but if we can get enough mentors would like to do a public event either the last weekend in September or a weekend in October (excluding the 25th), who's in and can commit on which weekends?
Some osage cutting is very possible, time allowing..
There will be meals and camping opportunities. Some targets can be set up too for some shooting...
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Joe,
Where are the workshops being held?
Bill
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This one will be at Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary northern Woodford County, 5 miles or so from exit 58 on I64 at Frankfort. There is a small woodshop there, covered pavilion with concrete floor and picnic tables.
I know.. it's hunting season.. but there may even be a hunting opportunity.. nearby.. :D
Some of the guys with their first hedgesplitting competition...
(http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee423/joelacefield/archery/0314141342a_zpsa94ws64m.jpg) (http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/joelacefield/media/archery/0314141342a_zpsa94ws64m.jpg.html)
The haul from part of this tree..
(http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee423/joelacefield/archery/0314141436_zps7ouabnhy.jpg) (http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/joelacefield/media/archery/0314141436_zps7ouabnhy.jpg.html)
Another nearby tree...
(http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee423/joelacefield/archery/0310141118a_zpsal9zkdof.jpg) (http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/joelacefield/media/archery/0310141118a_zpsal9zkdof.jpg.html)
And one I cut a bit later...
(http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee423/joelacefield/archery/0320141304_zpslsblilq6.jpg) (http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/joelacefield/media/archery/0320141304_zpslsblilq6.jpg.html)
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Joe, the last weekend in Sept might work for me. I'm on vacation all that week. I plan to do a pretty big house repair then. If weather allows should be able to finish it the first part of the week, which would free me up for the weekend.
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Nice looking Osage there!!
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Everyone got quiet... Will the last weekend in September work????
Please let me know so we can schedule it, need help, who's available?
Hedgeapple - Maybe-weather permitting...
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You can count me in....................just wait'n for the date.
DBar
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Okay, The last weekend in September it is, Friday - Sunday.. Northern Woodford County, KY, just south of Frankfort, who's in??? We definitely need mentors, even if you can only come one day...
Hedgeapple - strong maybe... yes, you've been upgraded...
Danzn Bar
Myself - I can offer tree ID... :D minimal bowyering and shooting skillz
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I can probably swing down Saturday early until Sunday noon since school is back in session and duck season isn't open yet.
Tracy
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I can't guarantee it but I can try to make it.
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I'll try and make it I can't offer much help (definitely could lend tools and tillering tree though) that I know of though. My wife will be pretty pregnant at the time too so that will play a part idk how she will feel about me being gone.
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Joe, put me at 90% being there. Heck, I'll still be in your debt for all the food plot seeds. :)
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That is usually the weekend of my annual LBL bowhunting trip, but it isn't looking real favorable at the present. I'll know more as the time approaches. I have very limited actual skills, but do have the tools! Be glad to help in any way if I can make it.
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It is set for the last weekend in Sept.. Shaving horses and bow vice are welcomed >--------->
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So this has to be rescheduled, TBD.. I appreciate the willing helpers.. Maybe we can do it at a time to cut some yella wood, lots of it around??... A carrot to entice helpers...
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First of the year early spring Joe ? I'm still interested.
Tracy
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That's what I'm thinking, They have a covered pavillion with concrete floor, electricity. I can bring my bandsaw and belt sander..
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Any news on this? I am just south of Louisville and interested.
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I'm still game. Just let me know the dates.