For anyone that hasn't been involved in the Self Bow Challenge, Twin Oaks will have roughed in hickory bows that have been straightened on forms with some reflex added. There will also be roughed in osage bows available through Gary Davis and Yazoo with assistance given by them in getting the osage bows to a shooting stage. Several Twin Oaks members (including Pappy
), and probably some other PA folks will be helping as needed during the tillering process of the hickory bows. We have a good many bench/vises available on a first come first serve basis. We also provide scrappers and will have tillering strings for sale. In the past it can get pretty hectic with a dozen or so making bows at anyone time and just a few folks helping, so be patient please
Like King Ron said, the actual contest starts on Thursday with the bows being at a semi-floor tillered stage without string notches cut in. But for my 2 cents worth, I personally feel the emphasis of this self bow making event is not a contest so much as a introduction to making an all wooden bow and getting new people interested and excited in this great hobby! It's an opportunity to have "hands on" experience with some guidance given by experienced bowyers...not to mention some good comradarie! It's all in fun, no need to feel stressed but just enjoy yourself. Most folks in past years if they started Thursday or Friday have got their bows to a shooting stage allowing them to shoot the course for score against their fellow students of the Self Bow Challenge. All particiapants will be asked to enter the Self Bow Challenge which includes help tillering the bow and getting to shoot the course. Typically most of the bows aren't completely finished during the weekend. Usually additional sanding/ finish work, grip, and sometimes sealing the bow is still left to be completed after going home. The entire process to a fine finished bow like displayed in the PA forum bow section is typically to lengthy to be entirely completed by an inexperienced person in such a short time.
I hope this may help answer some questions to any folks new to the Classic that are interested in taking part in the Self Bow Challenge.
