Self Wood Bows?

[Longbow_Gold]

Hey Guys

I've been wondering about getting a second bow, and I'm still very much looking to have another longbow made, but I'm only looking to have a single piece bow made (Non-laminate) and so, I was wandering what you guys think if the best wood for a good all round longbow?

I'm aware that a few bowyers have made self osage bows and I'm told that these bows shoot really well, but I'm not sure how good they shoot for either clout and/or flight, as well as for target and/or field archery, and so, I thought that I would ask you guys for some help and advice on this, as I would most certainly appreciate it

Willie

P.S. I'll be avoiding self Yew bows as I'm pretty darn sure that my self yew bow has already lost some draw poundage, which I'm looking to rightify, but if I don't get some of the draw poundage back in the bow, then it's firewood

[Et tu brute]

I'd have to say either self-osage or self-yew. I know you said you dislike self-yew but if it's good quality wood there's no reason why it should lose cast/poundage and quicker than a laminate, and it will most likely shoot just as well. Osage is good all round, it's quite a tough wood, and probably wont dent as easily as Yew, it's also pretty fast.

Only downside is both of these are very expensive, if your looking for something more affordable (sub £400-£500) a laminate is probably the best option, something like hickory/purpleheart/lemonwood is a good option. Or for a bit more cash you could get an osage belly and/or core.

If money is no problem I'd definitely say self-yew, with osage coming a close second.

[englishwarbow]

I'm assuming it's a longbow and not a traditional bow of any other sort. Depending on your draw weight you have a number of options, first and foremost is that yew is the best option, why becuase it's a longbow, thats what a real longbow is made of! But not all yew woods are the same, to be truely authentic you have to go for Italian yew, it's where they used to get the wood ( they also used Spainish but you can't source it these days) and it is very dense strong wood, capable of taking a lot of punishment and is then perfectly suited to very high draw weights.

Then you have American pacific yew, very good, reasonably easy to source (and is it's yew we are taking about that is a relative ease) and produces very fine bows.

Then the wild card is English, a lot of English yew isn't suite to bow making but if you can get good stuff it is well worth using.

On no account in my opinion use Swiss, Polish, or any other yew unless you have seen it yourself. Chances are you'll end up with a bow that breaks after just a few arrows or is so flacid, it's only any good for match wood.

If it is self yew you want then talk to Diy archery, Chris Boyton or John Marshall, I've head that Pip Bickerstaffe is no longer making self yew but I may be wrong.

If self yew isn't important then osage is good bet but most bowyers only seem to supply it as a laminate and of course it isn't historicaly accurate but I don't have a problem with it for sport.

If your after a small draw weight then you can go for ash, it makes a good bow and can be used for higher draw weights but I have no experience of it.

[Et tu brute]

Originally Posted by englishwarbow

I've heard that Pip Bickerstaffe is no longer making self yew but I may be wrong.

I think your right there , Nick, Pip doesn't advertise and self-yew bows on his website any more, He also doesn't advertise and Self-Osage bows either.

[Longbow_Gold]

It's definitely a longbow that I'm looking for, as I'm very mucvh into traditional archery and I do intend to be able to work my way up through the draw weights to eventually use a warbow, but one step at a time

So far I'm thinking that a Yew bow is good, but at the same time, I want a self wood bow that will last a few years, and I imagine that from your description, Nick, that the Italian Yew wopuld tend to be much longer lasting

Thank you very much guys so far, I really appreciate your input alot

Willie

P.S. You guys ROCK!!!

[jb.68]

Yew is very nice too look at, and the bow wood of our forefathers. However, there are many mixed views of how good it is. As nick says, a lot does depend where it comes from and how it's grown. I know that Pip doesn't rate Yew in comparison to a laminate or to Osage. I don't have one, but the fact that Simon Stanley shoots a Hickory backed Yew bow speaks volumes to me.

I will still make a self Yew one day, not for its stunning performance maybe, but just for the joy of having made and shot one..

[alanesq]

Originally Posted by Longbow_Gold

It's definitely a longbow that I'm looking for, as I'm very mucvh into traditional archery and I do intend to be able to work my way up through the draw weights to eventually use a warbow, but one step at a time

If you are planning to work your way up the draw weights, is it worth spending a lot on a bow at this point ?

I have myself a flashy Italian yew bow which is the draw weight I am aiming for (well actually its well above but that's another story ;-)
in between I figure it doesn't really matter how good the bow I am using is, its just something to build up my strength and all being well I will soon be wanting a heavier one

[HOTHOUSEDOG]

I've got to agree with Alan. How quickly are you planning to move up bow weights? If you want to move up fast then it could prove very expensive. How about making an ash self bow. You will be suprised what you can get out of wood bought from your local timber merchant. ( Go on Alan post him a photos of the latest beast.) I've gat a 60# flat bow thats taken over 2000 arrows. Its taken some set, but thats my poor tillering.
If the bow is only a stepping stone to a greater weight bow i would'nt break the bank yet, save it up for that high altitude Italian Yew.

[djthompson]

The two pics I've seen of a certain Mr Bickerstaffe (on the back of his book, and on his web site) he's shooting what looks to me like a self osage ELB.

I think osage is a little cheaper than yew (it certainly is to buy in staves). It's tougher and more resilient too. It does look awesome IMHO.

D

[alanesq]

Originally Posted by HOTHOUSEDOG

How about making an ash self bow. You will be suprised what you can get out of wood bought from your local timber merchant. ( Go on Alan post him a photos of the latest beast.)

Yes, making your own bow is another good option
you can see all about how I went about doing it here: http://www.alanesq.com/The-Back-Street-Bowyer.pdf