Everybody needs to find a new pastime occasionally. I think I have found one here. Some fellows on another (small boat) forum also build bows. They warned me......and told me that one would not be enough. They told me that I'd think about bows at work, and on the drive home.......that I'd have to make a steamer, and a press, and a quiver and arm guard, and learn to make bowstrings..... Stay away, they said, run while you still can.
Did I listen? Yes, for a while. Then, I HAD TO MAKE A BOW......you all understand.
Well, I was at Lowes. Picked out a 1x3 Oak. Figured I'd make a bow, break it, and get it out of my system.
I roughed out an outline and sawed it on the band saw. then penciled a line down the side for the belly cuts. Sawed them out. Bent the bow a little, no flex. Got out my trusty block plane and smooted it all up. Hmmm......bent a little. Planed a little more.......and stood in front of the belt sander for a minute. Wow.......bent nice that time. Scraped a little, sanded a little, cut grooves for the string. Made a string out of two lengths of old yellow mason twine.
OK.......I'm hooked. The feeling of EMPOWERMENT when i first strung it up and drew it back halfway was amazing. I was somehow connected to every brave, every warrior, every bowman who had ever drawn a bow. And, yes, I think you all know that feeling.
When I can, I'll post a picture or two.
Thanks to all of you who have gone before me and laid down tracks!
Piper
