Long time browser wants to get serious...

[Calamitus]

I have been reading this board for some time now, left for awhile and am now back, interested in actually making a bow or two for serious. I would like to know the minimum tools necessary for board bows and for staves (probably hickory as there's a ton of it around). I have no power tools and wonder if a bench and vise is necessary as I don't have those either. I know and have read what tools are commonly used, but I have a tight budget and need to know the minimum I can get by with. I have a good bit of experience working with wood in construction and millwork and working with various tools comes naturally to me. I want to eventually make some pretty recurve bows but want to start with stiff handle board bows just to start throwing wood down range in a fairly short amount of time. Thanks.

[coaster500]

I would get a farriers rasp (New or maybe one from a local farrier), a draw knife (I found one at a thrift/antique store) and some sand paper. A couple of clamps can become a vise and any solid table, picnic table, etc can be your bench. Bows have been made with an axe and a knife, even stone tools but not by me. I started with the above and with staves. I have not built a board bow.

Good luck

[Buckeye Guy]

The minimum tool requirement is Knowledge !
Throw in some elbow grease and sweat and it is amazing what can be done !
After that there are a variety of ways to get the job done!
Maybe let us know what you have or what kind of tools you think might be possible to get a hold of .
A hatchet will do allot but not the best for boards !
Have fun
Guy

[Calamitus]

I plan on looking for a draw knife, maybe a spokeshave as well?, a rasp (or two) of some sort, cabinet scraper, chainsaw file. I know I will need several clamps, more if I plan to do any amount of gluing.

[Eric Krewson]

Spokeshaves have never worked well for me in bow making.

A cheap alternative is a half pair of scissors for a scraper. I use an accusharp scissors sharpener to roll a hook on the cutting edge for fast wood removal.

 

Here is a basic selfbow making tool kit, about all you will need. The collection consists of  an aggressive rasp, a course file, a chainsaw file for nocks, drawknife, and a couple of cabinet scrapers. You can use anything for a scraper, cabinet scrapers, pocket knife, kitchen knife or perhaps the scissors I mentioned above.

[Maxspin]

I’ll second the farrier’s rasp. (Removes a lot of wood fast).
4 in 1 rasp need the curved rasp for fades and handle.
Vice or clamps
Cabinet scraper
Chain saw file
Sand Paper

The draw knife is a learned skill (I haven’t) and is not needed for a board bow.

Keith

[ionicmuffin]

for me, some kind of scrapper is imperative! i really think that without one you will have a MUCH harder time. I also agree on the rasps, i use a surform rasp and boy let me tell you, it takes off wood great for an easy fast way to remove wood! i would say its good for shaping the bow. Sandpaper and 0000 grit steel wool is important too, for board bows, since its not one ring, i sand the back until its smooth, then i use the steel wool. the reason for taking that step BEFORE the tillering is to avoid breakages because of a lifting splinter. if you back it that would solve your problem too. For me a band saw makes the profile really easy to make, so if you have one, GREAT! but if not, dont worry about it. I also think a rattail rasp is important too. you will probably want to make a tillering tree as well to help you see the limbs bending without pulling it yourself.

[turtle]

The first 4 or 5 bows i made, the only tools i had were a hatchet, old bowie knife, four way rasp, and a chiansaw file for knocks. I bought the four way rasp to make bows with. Everything else i already had. I used bowie knife to chase rings on osage. Hatchet and bowie to rough out to floor tiller. Four way rasp and bowie used as a scraper to tiller with. Did all the work without a vise, usualy sitting on front porch steps with the stave across my lap. Had to hold the end of th stave between my outstretched feet while chasing rings ( never have figured why i wasnt smart enough to use the vise out in the garage) . The point of this being if you want to make a bow bad enough, you probably can jump in using only what you already have, and expand your tool choices as you either want to or can afford to.

[Guessed]

Holy man, everyone uses so much tools. All I have is a makeshift drawknife, a rasp and a chainsaw file lol. My vice/clamp was a hole in the ground. My workbench was a rock.

An old chefs knife could function as a drawknife, just use leather as the other handle. With board bows I'm not sure if one is needed though.

I agree, the best tool is elbow grease, Native people just used rocks and sharp antler and stuff, they made beautiful bows.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Dont buy cheap hand tools no matter the urge. They are junk and will wear your body out FAST. I use four tools myelf.

Nicholson Ferriers rasp
10" Shinto
homemade scraper
3/16 round rasp

[sleek]

All you need is a good 7 inch long heavy knife. My first bows were cut down, built, and finished with my K-Bar. Works great! Only tool you NEED.

[Calamitus]

Excellent lists guys. lol @sleek, Ok who can beat that minimalism? Anyone use their teeth? Eric, how does one roll a hook on scissors with that sharpener? I do want to make a tillering tree and one of those gizmos which looks to be a fantastic way of tillering. Anything I can make myself is good.

[SLIMBOB]

Draw knife, belt sander, rasp and a sharp Green River knife.  I was given a small set of files as a present that I shape the knocks and overlays with.  Minimalist.

[George Tsoukalas]

There is info on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

[Eric Krewson]

A few passes with the acusharp sharpner and the hook will form, no effort needed.