Best Wood For Making Bows???

[@kingsway731]

I put a lot of thought and effort into a pvc bow and I love it! I made a straight bundle bow out of fiberglass road markers inside a 3/4 inch pipe. "V" cut the ends about 8 inches down and close it and apply the recurve. The rods stop right at the beginning of the curve. This bow shoots smooth and quick! I discovered that 3/4 inch pipe is way more efficient than 1inch. It's 25% less mass after all. I don't have the kind of shop/ tools/ experience that you do. You could make a bow like that way better than I did. I'd love to see you do it!

[@dudeballard8162]

This is Dude....taking my red oak bow out hunting this week . Thanks for the help ..the Fleming twist I bought from you is first class

[@magicdaveable]

My Dad built a traditional D pattern English Longbow from Lemonwood in the late 1940's. It is still drawing 70lbs.@28". I cannot use it these days. My Dad was an excellent craftsman. It was his first bow build and last bow build. It still shoots really The nocks are Water Buffalo. Truly a work of art.

[@sephiroth1985102514]

17:35 you get that sense of accomplishment like you've waited all that time and you get right up to that moment of truth.

[@stafdehat]

This livestream was so incredibly informative. Thank you so much.

[@jeffkitterman7191]

Currently making a maple bow with drywall fiberglass- using FLEX SEAL on the limbs - will advise further how it turns out!! So far it’s looking great!!

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

Sorry I missed the stream. I will put my 50 cent here. First a wooden dowl is very dangerous to use as an arrow! The grain is unmatched and will break. The best backing is cinew. It increases the speed dramatically. In my years of bow building, the fastest wood has been a cinew backed juniper. The hardest wood is the west coastal Black oak. But Kramer, I've always wanted to ask, have you learned flintnapping yet? That will change your perspective on mankind and survival. I will also warn you building accurate, tough arrows is much more complicated than building a bow. Keep up the good work my friend. I'm glad to finally see another young bowyer. Sincerely ryley kreger aka the feathered frotiersman.

[@kwatt-engineer796]

Love your enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment making bows You add an extra bit of motivation by spending time on materials lying around the shop or the nearest building supply. Stressing hard to get materials for an "ultimate" build would only serve to discourage new bow hunters from starting that first bow. You have started my wheels spinning and I am thinking about cutting up some clear pine I already have to make a laminated bow using fiberglass tape and epoxy as a bow backing. Thanks for the spark.

[@trentedan]

In Ojibwe, which is an indigenous language from North America (aka Turtle Island), the word for hickory trees is “mitigwaabaakoog” which somewhat translates to “living bow staves”. It’s fascinating how useful cultural and survival knowledge can be encoded into something as ubiquitous as language.

[@magicdaveable]

Hockey stick is Ash. I made a bow from Juniper with Moose Leg Sinew backing. It is a D pattern 60" & draws 55lbs.@28." Very fast shooter.

[@ryandelaney242]

Hey Kramer. A book list that you'd recommend would be great if you have the time. Take care.

[@adamthomas8010]

You made one out of pencil S man. You're amazing brother keep it going man

[@luger9857]

I talked to a lady that made longbows for ben pearson and they use many thin pices of wood glued and layerd together. They have quality products

[@micahprice2807]

Luger 9 my old Pearson shoots better than my new Bear Grizzly

[@craigehrenfried3932]

Hey there!! Thanks for all the great content! I stumbled upon your vids after having too much fun chasing my kids around with my 6 y/o Disney Tangled Toy Bow and Suction Cup Arrows. I had to get something real (not to chase the kids with, of course). So, here we are, my first poplar bow with the fiberglass tape/wood glue backing and nearing the end of the tillering process. I'm seeing the set in already at about 35lbs @ 23" draw. I'm trying for about 40lbs at 27" draw. Wondered if heat treating the belly to try and harden it a bit but I don't know if it'll mess with the wood glue bond on the back.

[@vernhoffman2263]

Been carving Juniper I like it

[@bobbiesworldentertainment]

I'm still working on my Poplar bow, thank you for doing this channel....

[@aybanezxx]

wow what a treat for me personally to catch a live session ty sir for making yourself available

[@aybanezxx]

working through my very first build following the DIY High-Performance Board Longbow Build video religiously since i have never built a bow poplar with an oak handle

[@brightfuture9106]

Great Q and A 👍

[@ionsorinporojan149]

Hi brother !!! I make bows from Hazel and Elder wood ...and they are great !!!

[@russbowman6801]

GE Lexan is very tough and springy, and it would not have the problems of strands delaminating....just a thought. Potentially, it could be clear and light. Something different.

[@TheNightowl001]

Re: "Splitting" and flattening a PVC pipe to use as a bow backing, and you said it might be too thick. PVC pipe can be found in various wall thicknesses. It would just be a matter of choosing the wall thickness that would result in a backing as thin (or close to it) as you like.

[@KoreyMacGill]

this was super informative to listen to after the fact. when you doing another?

[@MASTERSAIS]

I'm thinking a double strip baking. A strip of spring steel, or steel strap, 1/16>3/32 ×1" in between oak and bamboo.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I would go with the woods used on the respective regional design such as yew or juniper on a short west coast paddle bow, or black locust on a Cherokee longbow, etc. Check out Energetic Heritic's sinew backed reaction wood pine bows.

[@jasoncosgrove3467]

Willow wood I made my first bow as a kid it was just a stick now I'm getting in to it more I am now having a short a making one properly out of Australian black wood rose I found a beautiful piece that has a dead core this is a beautiful piece of hard durable? Flexible lightweight wood. Very similar to the Irish blackthorn that has the ability to keep on cracking from the littlest crack due to changing of temperatures. However, if there is no cracks in the wood to begin with, it remains uncracked unlike me LOL I was wondering if you have any advice?

[@trigtrigger9794]

BIG LOVE FROM THE HIGHLANDS! You are a Godsend throughout Lockdown, your videos have pushed me back into making Bows. My 4 year old son makes the Arrows. Subscribed and think you deserve the world for your attitude, attention to your channel etc First Rawhide backed ( Dog bone ) Flatbow was made thanks to you. Somehow now need to chase the ring on small diameter whitewood. I'd pay for that video!!! Like should you keep it round on the back and Natural Or go through the rings for a flat back and back with hide? To give you that rectangle shape? It's a 4 inch stave.. ( Ash) Can anybody on here give a bit of insight? I'd be very grateful. Bowers Bible is not too illustrated.. Once again, big love from the Highlands. A wee bit stuck!

[@billwessels207]

Ash and hickory have excellent memory. Therefore are frequently used for tool handles and baseball bats. Not so good for steam bending because the excellent memory will slap you up beside your head when it slips out of the jig. Hurts really bad and leaves big welts.

[@idunparks9971]

Hey man I just discovered you, you’re AWESOME!!! I’m going to be converting my basement into a Bowery and use your videos to help me make an ARMY of bows for my family and I. Have some questions though, can 5/50 cord be used as a bow string? I need help making the arrow rest for my bow, do you have an in depth tutorial for this? I know it’s a crucial part of the bow and I don’t wanna screw up. I just don’t know nor understand how it’s supposed to be shaped? Keep up the good work man, you’re awesome

[@micahprice2807]

Joseph Parks from experience I can say 5-50 WILL make a bow string. Ran it as emergency backup on my 45# bear recurve till I got a proper string. But its heavy, gives a slow cast, and stretches badly (at first) so take that into account. Long story short, it will WORK, but it’s not a preferred choice. The bow will “vibrate” noticeably more than with a proper string as well.

[@The_Homestead_wolf]

I used yew wood my first time. Beautiful wood

[@zacharynickerson4636]

To go back to the several thin pieces of wood.. Can you dye the different layers and make a cool pattern. While you shape it or would soaking the wood ruin the integrity?

[@97VF750]

I made an Oak self bow. Dried a oak stave in the AC house for a year. Then made the mistake of working it in my non AC shed and left it unsealed after tillering and shooting it a little in the shed. Now I have some string follow. Can I now take that out ?? How ???? Have you ever used Waco Teak oil for finish??

[@my_name_is_chef4856]

I used western red cedar for my first bow when I was 13 it turned out to be like #15 bow but it would still lob an arrow

[@Michael-vu1ob]

Can you make a bow out of snow ski?

[@toastthemost2473]

Question: could you go back an reset a bow that has taken on set?

[@shiretook]

I would like to see a video of your hunting bow setup.

[@soundsofrelaxation7099]

You have a video on how to make the bow tree? Or what ever it is you call it

[@franklilley3901]

do fiber glass bows need backing? have one that is 60 years old.

[@Itchy1958]

When you back a bow with bamboo, do you smooth out the bamboo node on the back or keep the nodes as is for strength?

[@marcochristensen5103]

Nice videos! I'm planning to make a bow out of ash as its very very flexible but still hard, pretty much as oak. My idea is to laminate it in thin layers. Is there a certain grain direction I should cut/saw the material in order to keep the best strength?

[@decab8292]

When I was a kid at school almost 40 years ago the design technology teacher used to do night classes and he had a guy that made a bow out of plastics laminated. He offered £10.00 Sterling if anyone could string it. Of course nobody could,if I remember it was about #60 it was a longbow and had around 5 layers. Thanks.

[@genemiille1811]

Attempting my first bow build and would like to know what the best cheapest tool to tiller with?

[@peabodymartin5201]

Hate that I missed the live session. Can I use tite bond three to laminate ipe to a hickory backing and poplar handle?

[@rudamchu]

Yes you can. It's been done fairly often. You just have to use acetone to remove the oils first.

[@Anonymous-iq5fr]

Can we use ladder wood for making a bow

[@Anonymous-iq5fr]

Please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 tell me

[@jeramielokey597]

Kramer you are awesome man. But could you do a video on will it bow with that multi colored wood i cant remember the name of it. Just an idea.

[@arlonett2167]

You mentioned overseas. I'm from West Virginia but working in Indonesia. I've been working on my first bow which is bamboo and ulin. Ulin is very similar to ipe. My question is if ea-40 is not available for epoxy what should I look for in an epoxy? There are so many that I've gotten so confused I'm scared of picking the wrong one and ruining what work I've done so far. Thanks for all your videos and shared info. Hope you can help my situation. Later bro. Keep on keepin' on!!!!

[@brandonfeenstra2035]

Please please do a video on layering pine and or hockey stick

[@josephwiggi1]

hi, what type of carbon fiber would I use for backing a bow?

[@MrCoursair77]

My boat is 60 inches I wanted to get it what is it a B or D 55 Flemish bowstring do I count 4 inches down?

[@mikewolf3264]

Have you had experience with white oak?

[@josephwiggi1]

Go to the growers for the almond wood.

[@davinwilliams3130]

I know I'm a bit late for the q&a but can anything bad happen from doing the tillering process too slowly?

[@4thbranch834]

Yeah Kramer! Make a crossbow

[@vinaybabupathuri5390]

from where you will bring bamboo

[@markstanden202]

Kramer - a buddy of mine once made a crossbow out of an old Enfield rifle stock and a mini cooper suspension spring.... (bike brake cable for the string... wanna try recreating that???

[@whysprs]

My first build.. my girlfriend say I loved my bow more than her when I was making it

[@niko34_edits88]

LOL 😂 HAHAHAHA

[@historygeek2437]

Bows are worth more then woman it is a known fact

[@philipmcbride1903]

👀

[@robs9574]

Give her my number🤣

[@vulcano9200]

I'm thinking on trying plywood. Is it a good alternative? it would avoid a lot of tillering! Right?

[@dannyray1812]

Danny Ray Will snakeskin make a good bow backing?

[@daveweiss2787]

Can you make your bow longer with 7 in tips and how to you attach them.

[@drakewolfe8359]

Thanks for the brilliant content. I've recently found your channel and I'm pretty gutted that I missed this stream. I have a question for you though. Have you ever used wine or whiskey barrel staves? And if you haven't, what sort of backing would you use if you did?

[@rafaeldelpozo1902]

Hola soy español y voy a construir mi arco intentando seguir tus pasos . El problema es q no se mucho inglés y me estoy intentando arreglar como puedo . Me gustaría saber el tipo de madera y dn conseguirla

[@seadhead9522]

How long should a bow string be. Im making a popular bow same as yours

[@kennethwells5328]

hey will you try making a bow out of western mountian mahogany its a verry hard and heavy wood

[@c64116]

Hello? are you still there? it says youre live but i dont know

[@charlesbyrne7277]

How many pounds will sw tape add to a flat self bow

[@germanictradlifewarriorarc6414]

Bambusa tulda roxb..lfiberglass laminated is the best bow wood for asiatic bow or reflex deflex bow very smoothness draw and fast bow

[@gpwelter]

On the popular fiberglass bow you made the bottom limb shorter because of the offset in the 8" handle. Was that an error?

[@nakoawarrior3186]

As far as ash working? It's great,.....It's just that it dies off,......it dry rots standing dead,....you need a good piece,...I think that it's caused by the emerald ash bore? There's book after book that tells you what woods work and how to make a bow. And there's fiberglass drywall tape and fiberglass tape,.... and door screen is also fiberglass. As far as bow woods,.....even if its the right type of wood it must be a good piece of wood and cut right and dried right.

[@rocknrollfishinpole]

have you used fiberglass hand laid to back your bows?

[@StevenPersano]

I live in what claims to be the almond capital Ripon,CA what do you need

[@michaellowther96]

Going to try to make a bow from ski’s and a leaf. Spring !!!!???

[@greenwolf401]

What about using some old skis!

[@willyam9735]

Kramer, just ran across a chart showing 100 exotic hardwoods and their "janka" hardness rating. The higher the number, the harder the wood.There are still a lot of hard woods not represented in this chart. I got a big ole black walnut in my back yard that I bet would make a good bow. I've also got cherry which I thought would be pretty hard but it's janka number is only 960 :-( Will

[@jeromekoshiway5473]

Do you ever use bodork

[@charlesbyrne7277]

What should end grain look like

[@paulcarver973]

Try layered flattened pvc. More layers the stronger it will be

[@ibluesman]

is walnut a good wood to make a bow?

[@drarara9663]

Do ribbon used for decorations can be used for backing? Thanks

[@ernestojimenez7151]

What do think about PVC bow

[@trendydwarf3747]

Is hazelnut wood good?

[@jptazzairbrushingjprice7250]

Where do I get the template for the taper limbs pattern.

[@johnboyc.3738]

How will White Oak or Red Oak do for a Bow? Which wood makes the best & fastest bow?

[@eaglpaul1]

My local Home Depot carries Poplar, Oak, Cherry and Hickory in stock, so I'l going to attempt a cherry wood bow.

[@Morrow45105]

Hickory Is the best bow wood out of those. You’re very lucky I only have red oak in mine

[@radagast6682]

I would like to see you make three bows. White Ash, Green Ash, and Black Ash. One more bow made out of Hophornbeam. Now get busy. ;)

[@michaelwilkes8835]

Would persimmon aka. American ebony make a good bow

[@josephprovens8719]

I have heard holly tree is an extremely hard wood what do you think?

[@richardquick826]

the wood u were using was box elder

[@clydecox2108]

Your that guy that made a bow out of pasta and peanutbutter. Just kidding but I was going to suggest it. LOL good job dude, I'm thinking of making a bow and you're the go to guy...

[@vilmoskazatsay6599]

Will it hazel bow?

[@TheSuperChannel]

What kind of vice do you recommend, and can you make a single piece bow without laminating a separate handle?

[@patrickwill7028]

Can you make a bow with a leafspring.

[@danryan2348]

Your big blocky handles don't belong on a longbow. You do a good job of tillering

[@jake4194]

I agree, If he just shaped his handles a little more his quality would be excellent

[@rafaelandreaslisberg4308]

I'm just going to leave this here: duct tape is better than fiber glass . I salvaged a bow with duct tape, and now removed the duct tape to put 8 layers of fiberglass tape as I thought that would increase performance, but instead, it just broke before I could even draw it back to where I used to with two layers of cheap duct tape.

[@jasonmassingale1027]

Have you ever tried to make a bow out of a car leaf spring? What would that build look like?😁😁

[@bygodfreeman]

Spring steel cant take much heat before it isnt a spring. So torch/ plasma cutting/ grinding it to shape would make it usless. But as a crossbow you can get away with it :)

[@bryonguenther6199]

Juniper and yew are two exceptions to the hardwood Theory.

[@josephprovens8719]

Is American walnut exchangeable for Ipe. And would the Holly wood bow?

[@z90012]

Is silver birch any good

[@bartangel4867]

I like to know what do you think about Kiaat or Madagascar rosewood. Also what I'm about to say might be preposterous. but i never made a bow in my life and shot a bow only couple of times in my life so what I say may make no sense but bare with me. Plywood is a bad material for a bow. but what if you made plywood by yourself using glue that is actually used for bows I really see no reason why it shouldn't work especially that you have wood switching by 90 degrees every plate making it actually stronger than laminated wood. why is that idea so bad?

[@Normjohanson]

Black locust is what I'm planting this spring, how does it bow?

[@bearly1727]

In my opinion it is the best bow wood. It will be years before you make a bow from the trees you plant however.

[@Normjohanson]

@@bearly1727 fortunately I have bought a quarter cut stave😉

[@alisondrefahl5153]

Have you ever used "Pau Brazil"? It's the best wood for making violins Bows, i'ts better than Ipe, so i have high hopes for it, the only problem is the difficult to buy this wood and the price.