Selfbow Secrets
Question Hi dean I just finished my first self bow, I made it from pomegranate wood it is 5 feet, I knew that pomegranate wood are flexiple and strong, but the bow I made takes the bow shape every time it is used? can that be because it is still humid even though it looks very dry to me", since I cut it only 3 weeks ago? it there a backing I can use other than sinew and hide glue to solve this problem?

- sam 08/30/2010, ID=3048
Answer
I have no idea what pomegranate wood is, but I doubt seriously that you could dry it sufficiently for bow purposes in three weeks. That's probably the biggest reason it takes a set.

You can't judge moisture content in wood by looks, but you can judge it without moisture meters. And one way is by how it responds to slight bending, how quickly it returns to profile.

No backing will solve the problem of wet wood bent beyond its elastic limits. Backings are not a curative, though they can be a preventative. Start over, only get hold of some literature on drying bow wood before investing your time.


Question Have you tried using rubber straps to clamp the bamboo back to the hardwood belly? Based on your vidio we are thinking of having a bow making class at the local nature center and we would not have enough clamps for the 12 students we anticipate. Thanks for any info.

- Ken Moran 08/16/2010, ID=3047
Answer
No, I've never used rubber straps. Many fiberglass laminated longbows have been glued up using rubber straps, but remember, the materials are flat and narrow.

If you use a good gap-filling glue, such as Resorcinol or Urac, and if your materials mate well, you should achieve workable results.


Question Dean - Gday. Thanks again for the book, DVD, tillering guide and the Bowyers Edge tool. I've been using all three religiously and am about to do a bulbous handle on a bamboo backed hickory model. My laminated takedown is also still shooting and I've taken game with it. In any event I have the following questions about the DVD:

1. The template that you use in the DVD - is that a gradual width taper from the flares to the tips or does it remain parallel in width until a point and then taper in? and

2. For the recurve model that you cut a kerf in, is the insert a parallel slat or tapered?

- John Taylor 08/05/2010, ID=3046
Answer
The template I use is very slightly convex along its total length once you get past the flares. THe reason for this is that I shoot the outline on the bamboo with a block plane, and the tool comfortably fits this shape. For a fuller explanation, check out the "The Principle of Complements" on the articles page of the Bowyer's Edge website.

The insert is a parallel shim the thickness of the saw kerf.


Question I am going to be cutting some osage to make some bows. Can this wood be kiln dried? And if so is it ready as soon it leaves the kiln? thank you

- ben 07/22/2010, ID=3045
Answer
I assume you are referring to slats. Yes, they can be kiln dried, and yes, the wood is ready to use as soon as it leaves the kiln. However, there will likely be stresses in it, and until it rests and stabilizes, it will likely move on you when you cut your bow to shape. You will then have to wrestle it back into submission so the tips line up.

Best choice is dry wood that is seasoned, a distinction that is often lost on bowyers. Not all dry wood is seasoned (stable), and not all seasoned wood is dry enough.


Question I have an 50# 46l arabian recuver fiberglass bow and when I shoot it the string jumps off. and when I string it the one limb whats to twist. and the string seems to lay to one side on that limb. when I hold it up strunged you can see the limb twisted a little. Is there anyway to fix it? If so can you tell me how? Or if I need to send to some to fix? thankyou yours truly Jolene.

- Jolene 07/04/2010, ID=3044
Answer
Hold the twisted limb under hot tap water and twist it to correct it. WHen the glue softens enough that the limb takes correction, twist it a little more than necessary to line up the tips and then run the limb under cold tap water.

This was a selfbow question, right? ;-)


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Dean Torges
Be sure to visit Dean Torges's Website - Dean Torges is well-known to new and experienced self-bowyers. He is the author of Hunting the Osage Bow along with numerous articles, selfbow-tools, and videos.