Longbow Kits - Worth It?

[Jimbo]

I'm seriously considering switching from recurve to longbow and was wondering if someone could give me some advice regarding the longbow kits you can get from Bickerstaffe Bows and elsewhere.

• What do you actually get in this kits? (I know what it says on the site, but this doesn't mean an awful lot to me)
• On Pip's site it mentions a laminated 'stave', does this need shaping at all or is it all finished?
• Are there any specialist tools or skills would be required to complete one of these? (I have basic woodworking tools and very basic skills)
• When the longbow's all finished (assuming to a reasonble standard), how would it compare to a similar ready-made one (i.e. in terms of usage & life-span)?
• Any other tips/suggestions?

Many thanks

[Tarkwin]

having seen one of these in a retail outlet, what you get is the laminated wood, the basic shape is there in that it is thicker in the centre than at the tips. This shaping has been done with machine tools, leaving plenty for the would-be-bowyer to do.

[Greenman]

A venerable member of our club (retired carpenter) being "careful with his money " bought a kit. We followed the development of the bow over the weeks, with the tiller altering by the week, originally he wanted a bow of 40-50lbs but with constant adjustment ended up about 20lbs and with a caste of about 10yds. I suppose the moral of the story is be careful how much wood you take off, you can't put it back. Personally I would give it a go ,the worst case scenario would leave you appreciating the skills of the Bowyer.

[Ffish]

Originally Posted by Greenman

the worst case scenario would leave you appreciating the skills of the Bowyer.

and admiring the pile of (expensive) wood shavings and sawdust on your floor

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Ffish

and admiring the pile of (expensive) wood shavings and sawdust on your floor

That is indeed my fear.

[dtalbot]

I've seen some nice bows made from those kits but it does take some skill and knowledge to do it! If you can wait till next summer when doubtless the longbow course will run again you can have proper instruction on how to make a longbow and come away with a nice ash bow as well from these folks:
http://www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk/Ge...nformation.htm
It will give you the skills you need to suceed with a kit like you are talking about and when I did it a couple of years ago all but one of us managed to produce a bow of about 60lb draw. The one failure was caused by a chap slipping while trying to string his bow and ending up standing on and snapping about 8" off the lower limb!
If you are coming this way pop in and have a look at the bow or I'll try and remember to bring it to the next EMCCU meetup.
Cheers
David

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by dtalbot

I've seen some nice bows made from those kits but it does take some skill and knowledge to do it! If you can wait till next summer when doubtless the longbow course will run again you can have proper instruction on how to make a longbow and come away with a nice ash bow as well from these folks:
http://www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk/Ge...nformation.htm
It will give you the skills you need to suceed with a kit like you are talking about and when I did it a couple of years ago all but one of us managed to produce a bow of about 60lb draw. The one failure was caused by a chap slipping while trying to string his bow and ending up standing on and snapping about 8" off the lower limb!
If you are coming this way pop in and have a look at the bow or I'll try and remember to bring it to the next EMCCU meetup.
Cheers
David

Cheers. I've seen that course mentioned elsewhere, but I reallydon't think I'm going to be able to wait that long

When I do nip over your way, it's normally on a fairly ad-hoc basis but if something can be organised I'd certainly be interested in seeing your bow.

[wingate_52]

If you have the cramps/clamps and the ability to plane and glue up your laminates, go for it. If not, buy a laminated stave, read all you can and proceed carefully. You will ge a lot of satisfaction from making your own bow.

[dtalbot]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Cheers. I've seen that course mentioned elsewhere, but I reallydon't think I'm going to be able to wait that long

When I do nip over your way, it's normally on a fairly ad-hoc basis but if something can be organised I'd certainly be interested in seeing your bow.

Probably by me on BCUK or BB! Even if you buy a bow now I think you'd enjoy the course. Drop me a PM on BB if you think you'll be passing.
Cheers
David

[gino]

Originally Posted by dtalbot

...If you can wait till next summer when doubtless the longbow course will run again you can have proper instruction on how to make a longbow and come away with a nice ash bow as well from these folks:
http://www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk/Ge...nformation.htm
It will give you the skills you need to suceed with a kit like you are talking about ...
David

As someone who always wants to know how everything works I'm desperate to try a longbow course. I've just spent a week making a set of medieval arrows from scratch with various specialist arrowheads (armour piercing, hunter, fire, etc) and I intend to make a photodiary if anyone wants a look but I've been trying to find a reliable bow-making course. Has anyone else been on the course at this place? how did you find it?

Cheers,

Gino.