So after a few months, and this being my 3rd attempt at a bow. ( 1 piece did break to the perfect size and shape of an atlatl, next project.)  The first 2, didnt make it passed a floor tiller. Due to me getting super excited and bending it too far, until i heard that unfortunate crack. Now i am saying this is almost done, because i want to do some finishing touches (reduce the handle, and still need to include some kind of an arrow rest, and leather handle.)  Now  i wanted to attempt to make this bow out of the least amount of tools possible.  My own challenge  just in case while in the woods if i need to build a bow, from a couple of tools from my BOB, or camping. I only used a hatchet, a double sided rasp, and a tiny bit of sandpaper to smooth it out. Nothing else. I did use a draw knife, to remove bark, but could have done it with a knife or hatchet.

Now the bow,  it is maple, 61" tall, not sure of the draw weight due to no scale, which i will be picking up soon. I would have to estimate under 30lbs, maybe closer to 20. I can check in the future.  Now the bow has a couple pin holes in 1 limb, very tiny but the holes go all the way through. It does have a hinge that is noticeable, maybe in the pic as well. I can see it. Also the steam bend DID NOT work. Lol. I probably did it wrong, but oh well.  The bow string i did purchase,  it was a flemish twist 58", (B-55 dracon ) which gives the brace on the handle to the string 6in. That is gonna be a skill i work on during the winter. Cordage and bow string making.

    I only have a single arrow, with no tip, as i still need to measure my arrow length,  thats the excuse for no video. And of me not shooting it. Plus i haven't shot a bow in about 7 years, and the 10yo kids were outshooting me at that time.  ;D

Its not the prettiest,  its definitely UGLY. I call it OLD UGLY. But it definitely shoots.

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I also apologize for my really BAD form

Nice! It's looking good!

vetryan15 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2020 at 2:48pm:

I also apologize for my really BAD form

NOOC’s rules for public display of novice skills on Internet forums...
Rule #27:
When you have bad form, don’t apologize. Instead, claim you’ve invented a new technique and then name it after yourself.

Nice man!  Looking good!  :thumb:

Thanks everyone.  I been showing it off to a few people who nkw want to buy some. Which i dont think they understand thatits my 1st one.

@NOC.  Haha thats funny poopy. I will have to remember that for next time

Good job

A hatchet, rasp and a tiny bit of sand paper. Amazing!

Thanks. It definitely could be better. But for my 1st one, and only a few simple tools. Pretty happy with it.

Good tiller.  Nice even bend.  You followed the grain, the perfect bows you see in movies are usually made of fiber glass.

So, how does it shoot?

Looks good.

Thanks again,

@Bill, its definitely not perfect.  I wish the photos could tell more. But it still has the propeller twist, annd ome limb has a hinge in it. I do not have any arrows, and it needs a few touch ups. So not too sure how it shoots. But its very lightweight. 

You are way ahead of me on bow making.  I broke the first several several.  So, having a functioning bow for the first try is actually very good. 

It was actually, my 3rd attempt.  Lol. But i did a lot of reading of TBB, and watched hours of YouTube videos,  plus my knife makimg mentor. I can text whenever he has 20 plus years of bow making as well. I asked alot of questions here as i was going along.

I wish it was my 1st try. The first 2 didnt get past tillering as i got too excited and bent them too much and snapped in half ;D

BTDT.   ;D

I'm like you, I try to go too fast and, generally, bad things happen.   ;D

Yeh, i hVe done my fair share of crash and burn, on plenty of projects,  hobbies and jobs. You would think i would learn. But NO. Lol

I picked up a digital bow scale, read the instructions,  pretty sure i didnt do it correctly.  Due to the fact i dont have a spot the horizontal to set up a pulley.  But i was getting about 6-8lbs. For the draw. I know its small but its gonna be a show to kids kind of bow. Now i just need to refine my work and gonna get a few more in the works soon. I have a bunch of birch,  maple and a few white ash staves that are dry.