Bowyers 10 commandments??

[Badger]

  Has anyone ever heard of the 10 commandments for bow makers? I could swear I saw something on that years ago but can't find anything on it now. I wanted to hang it on my wall for new bow makers.

[Crogacht]

I'm sure someone posted something like that on PA.... in the last 6 months.

Turns out it wasn't in the last 6 months, maybe that's when I read it

Here we go: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=39116.0

Jack Crafty's Ten Archery Self Bow Commandments

 1 Thou shalt not worship a standard bow design.
 2 Thou shalt not claim that one wood type is best.
 3 Thou shalt not take the name of any wood in vain.
 4 Remember archery season, and keep it holy.
 5 Honor thy mentor and forum.
 6 Thou shalt not create set.
 7 Thou shalt not dry fire.
 8 Thou shalt not overdraw.
 9 Thou shalt not fully draw the self bow of thy neighbor.
10 Thou shalt not excessively cut across wood fibers on the bow’s back.

[bubbles]

Is there something like this in "the bent stick" as well?

[Badger]

    I just recently sarted teaching guys in my area bow making. I am not used to teaching. I seldom use a tape measure, I tiller on my lap, and I eyeball everything. I am trying to teach the newer guys more standard tried and true methods. Everytime I turn around I catch myself saying something like, "never do this" or "always do that" and it got me to thinking there must be some kind of commandment written by somebody.

I can think of a few things that I would like guys to rememeber right from the start.

1. Never draw a bow any further than what it takes to expose an area that needs work.
2. Never draw a bow past its intended draw weight or length.
3. Keep the bow in a finished state once tillering and refinements stage have begun.
4, The weakest part of your imb is the most you can expect from a bow.
5. Wet wood behaves like wet wood, badly.

Feel free to add

[arachnid]

Well I have a lot more to learn but from my short bowyering career I can add the classics:
1. If you ain't braki'n you ain't maki'n.
2. No.1 rule for tillering- If an area is stiff, take wood off it. If an area is bends too much, take wood off anywhare else.
3. The bane of the bow maker- speed and impatiance!
Take too much wood off and you can easly screw things up. If you think things are going too slow, fill a bucket of water and dip yor head in it.
4. Don't be afraid or too proud to ask for help.

These are things I try to keep in my mind.
Hope it helps.

Dor

[mikekeswick]

Thou shalt not fully draw the selfbow of thine neighbour.   

[Jodocus]

Not that I'd be an expert, but here's what I tell the beginners I give instructions:

At any time, know, mark and leave alone the weakest spot on your limb.

[Pappy]

I tell all the beginners, Never fall in love with a piece of wood, and it ant a bow until it shoots arrows,it is still just a piece of wood. 
 Pappy

[JoJoDapyro]

As a beginner, this is all very good information. I have to fight the urge to just keep working on my first bow (still just wood, hasn't shot an arrow yet).

[PEARL DRUMS]

Yup, Paul Comstock has a list in his Bent Stick flyer. Not sure how many I obey? Very few.

[SLIMBOB]

Love all the ideas so far, but Pappy's rule is inspired.  Until it flings an arrow, it's just a wood carving.  Bubby in a post the other day said it well, there's no room for fear in bow making.

[Pappy]

I'm with you Pearl, I have figured out over the years that that their are a few that HAVE to be followed,a few more that NEED to be followed or could cause problems and a few that are BS or folklore.  Soarting them out is sometimes a problem,this thread should help with that. Thanks Steve,you are coming up with some very interesting conversation and threads . and are especially good for people starting out.
 Pappy

[Don Case]

3. Keep the bow in a finished state once tillering and refinements stage have begun.

I'm not sure I understand this one

[Badger]

3. Keep the bow in a finished state once tillering and refinements stage have begun.

I'm not sure I understand this one

    Sometimes guys will get so involved in tillering they ignore how rough the bow is getting. I like to see them after each session with a rasp take the scraper and smooth it back out. Sometimes little dips develop and the end of the v's that form on the belly when tapering the thickness. I like to see those little dips disappear every time one starts to form. After I floor tiller a bow I sit down with a rasp and a scraper and pretty much get it to look about finished. As I make corrections to each limb all I need to do is use the scraper on any tool marks as they appear. I have seen guys loose too much weight or create hinges on bows that were supposedly finished tiller and all they needed was removing tool marks. Best to remove them as you go in my shop.

[Don Case]

Got it now!