Making an Ash Stave Bow from a Board

When I first started out making bows, I only made bows out of dimensional lumber. I then was challenged to start making bows from split staves and have now made several bows from both staves I purchased and I personally cut down. One day, I was talking with a fellow bowyer and he showed me some of his bows where he made them from a board but it looked like it was from a stave. I decided to give it a try and have really enjoyed the bows I have made this way.
This method is not hard to do so I recommend it for beginning bowyers who are interested in the stave style bows but don't want to spend the money shipping a large stave to their home. Thank you for watching and hope this helps you get out and make your next bow!

[@michaelbiggs7129]

He translates technical information so fluidly. Like a teacher who's been at it for ever.

[@BowtellBows]

Thank you. Hope it helps

[@tonystone3397]

Nice one, thanks for sharing.

[@DreamcraftBows]

Great bow and vid! Congrats man!

[@BowtellBows]

Thanks fellow bowyer!

[@mattconroy3918]

rift cut nice choice!!

[@BowtellBows]

Makes for a great bow and easy to follow the rings on for sure!

[@aafno9786]

Great work sir ... Can we have a video on making 1mm flat bar wood for laminating recurve bow

[@BowtellBows]

Thank you. That thin strip would be a first for me. No plans currently to make a laminate bow but maybe I will make a thin wood strip as a bow backing.

[@DanSantanaBows]

Way to find that bow in there!

[@BowtellBows]

Thanks Dan!

[@krownedklown420klik9]

Tips look about 2inches different on the tree at the end😶🤔🏹💘

[@BowtellBows]

My board isn’t quite square with the bow and makes things look off sometimes but I see what you mean.

[@krownedklown420klik9]

@@BowtellBows if they shoot, who cares, I've made a couple out of box wood in Australia, they still shoot straight even with a little twist.

[@shamsstargames6780]

Is bamboo wood filled from the inside good for making bow

[@BowtellBows]

That is a great question. I haven't worked a lot with bamboo but plan on doing so in the near future. I would say that it would depend on what you are filling the bamboo with. Most of the time I see bamboo used in a bow, it is flattened out instead of round. However, I have seen books on how to make a bow out of Rattan that might be more helpful.

[@Wahatoyas]

No, you could get a hardwood and laminate a flat bamboo strip to the back. It will work well

[@jamescantwell9704]

What were the dimensions of the board you started with?

[@BowtellBows]

I believe I started with a 1.75” wide piece that was about 6” longer than my bow length and 3/4” thick. Gives me a little wiggle room for design and picking the best part of the board for making the bow. I would recommend giving yourself plenty of wood over your desired dimensions depending on how straight your grain is

[@jamescantwell9704]

@@BowtellBows - Thanks, I'm going to give this a go. As a first time try, I'm not sure how it will work out.

[@BowtellBows]

@@jamescantwell9704 Since I first tried it and was successful, I have really enjoyed making my bows this way. I wish you the best of luck with it!

[@chrismccaffrey8256]

Her draw didn't look anywhere near 26" draw

[@BowtellBows]

Agreed. Going to have to work with her on that sometime.