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Post by gyro on Apr 3, 2009 20:50:31 GMT
in some step by step photos and info about making an English Longbow ?
Not that I'm blowing my own trumpet or owt coz I'm only an amateur, but I've just started making one from Ash (a wood I've never worked with before) and have started taking the odd pic for 'before and after' purposes, which I've always wanted to do but never thought about until it was too late.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 3, 2009 21:03:30 GMT
Gawd, that would be incredible! It's always mystified me how a regular piece of rigid would could be turned into something so graceful, springy, and perfectly designed for its use.
Yes, PLEASE ~~ start a thread in Post Cards, and you can add to it as you go along. It will be so interesting seeing it develop in real time. Can you get someone to take photos of you as you're working? I'm assuming you have to use lots of hand tools such as planes and drawing knives, and it would be cool to see those in action.
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Post by gyro on Apr 3, 2009 21:06:25 GMT
I'm kind of half traditional and half not. I REFUSE to use power tools of any kind ( which is a pain in the arse seeing as how hard most good bow woods are), but as yet have not got a suitable draw knife or spokeshave.
I'm still waiting on somebody to get me some dogfish skin to use as sandpaper though ....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2009 21:21:21 GMT
Yes, I would certainly like to see how a longbow is made....or, errrr, isn't -- have you made longbows before?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2009 21:29:52 GMT
I would too.Maybe I can make one for MrC. Interesting, my mother was into archery,was on the archery team,all that. I have the left hand disadvantage.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 3, 2009 21:34:42 GMT
Joking aside, can't you catch dogfish right from the beach where you live? Mrs. G may not be too happy about the smell, though, as you turn the catch into sandpaper. And dogfish are edible.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 3, 2009 22:22:07 GMT
Gyro - please let us see your Ash longbow pics.
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Post by hwinpp on Apr 4, 2009 1:50:04 GMT
If the old guys could make them before Agincourt without power tools you can too, Gyro.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
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Post by gyro on Apr 4, 2009 9:45:06 GMT
K, yes I've made and sold a few before, but these have been mainly lemonwood (tropical hardwood from Cuba), and on one occasion lemnwood and hickory laminate. I've never worked with ash before.
Casimira - it's not that difficult; you just have to be patient and careful.
Bix - we don't dogfish round here; that's more the domain of the north. Most types of shark skin would also work.
Once I've done a bit more, I'll post a few pics.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2009 10:10:27 GMT
Patient and careful,two of my most outstanding traits.(wipe that smirk Bixa)
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Post by Jazz on Apr 4, 2009 14:40:12 GMT
I would love to see how this is done. To make one without power tools seems like an art form. Curved wood fascinates me. I once took a woodworking course and built my kitchen table out of black walnut. secret photo of Gyro and one of his longbows,  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 4, 2009 14:49:28 GMT
Years ago I had occasion to plane down a portion of an antique black walnut banister that was being put to another purpose. That smell! I had to stop myself from whittling it down to a toothpick so that I could continue inhaling it. Your table must be gorgeous, Jazz.
Nice photo of Gyro. He's a handsome devil, but hasn't quite mastered lipstick yet.
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Post by Jazz on Apr 4, 2009 15:09:55 GMT
Yes, it's very satisfying to work with. My table is a very simple rectangle, 3' x 5', but all you need is the beauty of the black walnut.
Gyro's photo: Yes, he needs some help with his lipstick. mmmm...he's very daring with the length of his tunic, one abrupt move and...*gasp*
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 13:15:46 GMT
one abrupt move and...
... you'd see me bowstring...
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 22:17:06 GMT
Does this work ?  |
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Post by Jazz on Apr 6, 2009 22:19:44 GMT
Perfectly. The work bench certainly has character! I like it.
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 22:28:52 GMT
Oh, right, cool. Bit big, isn't it ?
I've only done 2-3 hours, so I won't start just yet, but that was from Saturday after rouging out the basic shape. Now all I have to do is work it down to something that will bend evenly ...
The work bench is my father-in-law's, like most of the tools ..
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Post by Jazz on Apr 6, 2009 22:40:48 GMT
No, I don't think it's too big. I hate working with a workspace that is cramped, where you're constantly moving things to make room. This irritates me beyond belief. Who knows, you may next decide to build a boat? This will be good, I'm sure that there is not another thread or blog online that will show us a step by step, with photos, of the hand crafting of a longbow!
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 22:42:59 GMT
When I said big, I meant the picture, not the workspace. Although, ironically, my next project will hopefully be making a Canadian Canoe.
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Post by Jazz on Apr 6, 2009 22:51:06 GMT
...oh...umm, my laptop automatically resizes almost instantly. You will have to wait to hear from the 'top dogs' re: the size.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 22:52:12 GMT
I think some people will need a resize.
However, the first photo gives an indication on how on earth it's done already. Some of us have childhood images of just bending a branch, and this is clearly going to be quite different.
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 22:53:23 GMT
All my girlfriends have told me that, K ....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 22:58:38 GMT
Can you tell us more about the wood? I 'm familiar with ash but how did you go about acquiring it,lumber yard,the Black Forest? We (I) need basics here G. please.
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 23:06:34 GMT
It's actually BLOODY difficult ! Bowyers are notoriously awkward about revealing their suppliers. I actually got the piece you see above from ebay. The thing is, not just any piece will do; it HAS to be air dried. Kiln dried timber is FAR too brittle.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 6, 2009 23:30:48 GMT
Gyro, was that piece of ash originally just a plank, and the picture shows the initial shaping? That's a lovely piece of wood, with nice tight grain.
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Post by gyro on Apr 6, 2009 23:46:29 GMT
Well, yeah, sort of. It was originally a stave. When I upload the other photos and start a thread proper, I'll show you, but Ash is good in that it is a fairly tight grain. Not as tight as Lemonwood, with which you can basically ignore the grain, but fairly forgiving all the same, from what I can gather.
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