material to make longbow

[djthompson]

I've seen the kits (bickerstaffe, Richard Head etc) - but is there a good supplier of staves in the UK.

I'd love to have a go making a self bow - ideally from an inexpensive wooden stave (~£30).

Am I dreaming?!?

D

[Kae]

In short, Yes.

Unfortunatley it is very difficult to get suitable woods.
Try phoning smaller bowyers etc, and seeing if they will sell you Staves.
I used to get mine from castle longbows for £40, but they went out of business as far as I know.
If you find somewhere let me know please, as I have been unsucessful.

[djthompson]

found a company that sells bow staves:

http://www.diyarchery.com/Bow_Staves.html

£80 for an ash stave

£80 is a bit too much for a "have a go as a bit of fun" exercise!

I guess an alternative could be the sapling bow:

http://www.primitiveways.com/sapling_bow.html

Cheers, D

[wingate_52]

Craft Supplies in Derbyshire stock plenty of suitable timbers and bow blanks. They also do a free catalogue.

[djthompson]

That's great - many thanks!!!

i've ordered a couple of books of Quicks:

• Quicks Booklet - How to make a Longbow
• Making The Boughstave Longbow

I'd like to do this more as fun than anything else. Although there are courses about - £75 - £300 it's tricky to find the time (away from home).

Cheers, D

[Flying Whale]

I believe Yandles (timber supplier) at Martock in Somerset also stock staves (I think about £40). Happened to see it in their catalogue, but did not get a chance to look last time I was visiting my out-laws

[Windknot]

That's right, Yandles do have lemonwood staves in stock- you'll get more than one bow from one though, but you'll need to back the bow, hickory or bamboo would do the trick nicely. Yandles will be able to help you with hickory backing strips too.

Post pics when you're done!

[Windknot]

That's right, Yandles do have lemonwood staves in stock- you'll get more than one bow from one though, but you'll need to back the bow, hickory or bamboo would do the trick nicely. Yandles will be able to help you with hickory backing strips too.

Post pics when you're done!

[LineCutter]

For a first attempt or two I'd be tempted to go to the local timber merchant & get a decent piece of white ash. You'll not make a superb or high poundage longbow, but you'll learn a lot about how to do it (& how not to) along the way. They're just right for middle sized kids too. £20 gets you enough for 3 bows
Right at the beginning of my journal are some pics of the last one I made.

[Yew Selfbow]

D.J. going straight to making a self bow is a little like learning to drive in a F1 car. Unless your a pretty competent wood craftsman I'd suggest you start with a laminated blank. Tillering a self bow well, is very very difficult.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you enjoy it ....