How to Build a Board Bow Part 3: Width Profile and Riser

[@johnt.chambers4204]

Just a little tip from a woodworker. If you salt your glue before you put the pieces together it provides just enough grit to keep them from sliding and walking around when you tighten them up. By the time the salt dissolves, the glue will be starting to tack up enough that they aren't too likely to walk.

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Interesting. Never heard that before. Appreciate the tip

[@LeslieWorks]

Thats a new one, interesting

[@lancetranter5695]

Thanks!! I feel fortunate to have found your multi part tutorial.. it methodically goes over everything i had questions about

[@sonichedgehog8723]

I'm so glad you touched on the draw knife taking huge chunks sometimes. I thought it was me messing up. I still need a lot of practice.

[@wholefoodrunner840]

Just finished binge watching the first 3 episodes. This is some great content and for me, the timing is perfect. I am anxious for the next episode keep up the great videos you have a knack for teaching in a calm understandable way! Thank you! I especially like the detailed explainations that most other videos seem to omit! Excellent work!

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Thank you. glad you're finding it helpful. next one should be out soon!

[@dariuswhite2543]

@@SwiftwoodBows didnt like board bows until i seen urs

[@MrPAHearn]

I apologize if this has been answered already but, you give the dimensions for everything except the thickness of the handle. You were just eyeballing it when you drew it out, but I know this has everything to do with the strength of the riser/handle. It looks like somewhere between 1 1/2" and 1 3/4". ? Would 1 1/2" be enough? Thanks for this excellent tutorial!!

[@reinaldosanchez8774]

soy venezolano me encanta los arco que tipo madera mm recomienda el cedro la caoba o el roble cual es mas ideal para contruir uno

[@PRO_GAMER_SIM]

I'm building same one looking great so far this my first bow

[@elmono8894]

how can you calculate the right drawlenght for you? do you make it by measuring from the bottom of your thumb till your mouth? and what about the draw weight? how to calculate it? thanks for the videos, im getting really motivated to get some tools and start carving ;D

[@simondahlberg7394]

So why are we not using a saw or a drawknife to rough out the handle instead of a rasp/chisel? Or before we glue it on?

[@chazatkinson]

Excellent how to vid

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Glad you think so!

[@KopWerSov]

Hello, great content, much appreciate your knowledge. One question. U said in part 2 that u either make handle broader and make it bend with the bow or u put riser on. But u also said riser will not stop bending in handle. So does that mean this handle is deep enough with this width and type of wood to not bend?

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Hey, good question. The board I used for this build had enough thickness to have a stiff handle by itself, the riser is basically added for looks and comfort. If you had a thinner board that wasn't thick enough to be stiff by itself in the handle then an added riser would just pop off because the bow wood would be flexing at the glue joint. If you're wanting to keep your project simple then the best solution in that case would be to design a bow without a riser and allow the bow to bend through the handle. Almost all native american designs bent through the handle.

[@chefmike4171]

Great. #4 next! Tks

[@coltonconverse7343]

I know it’s been a while since you posted this but for the limb profile do you think I could go from 1 1/2 in to 1/2 in with the same handle design or would this be too much stress on the limbs

[@Philotimoman33]

Very beautiful woodworking shop. I wonder does it matter when making bow that we don't follow the growth ring for the back of the bow, or does following the straight grain make up for it?

[@trigtrigger9794]

Hey friend, Yes , grain straight up the length is very important... Then cover your "Sin" with a backing of Raw hide ( Dog bone chew ) Take your time.. Remember you can't cover the side if the grain runs wild....but if the back of the bow runs wild after you have tillered it then cover it up with hide.. Waterproof wood working glue to secure the hide. Don't be nervous, if you mess up...then make another one. Best wishes from the North of Scotland

[@christinenorriss9675]

Thats a huge amount of wood on riser to remove with a rasp! I think I would use a hand plane for initial removal then finish off with rasps, just a polite point of veiw from an old woodworker..

[@grayman7208]

i agree, but a farriers rasp can remove wood about as quickly as a hand plane and can move around contours better.

[@unclesam8244]

Scraper plain, box plain, ferriers/Shinto, 4in1 bastard cut flat and rounded wrasp them file smooth and sand

[@Crazyrayss]

Where can you get staves of Osage orange? I have been looking and I live in Oklahoma and I want to cut one down but I can’t find any Osage trees

[@ryoonit]

Oklahoma has one of the biggest bow making meet ups in the country. I’ve heard people say it’s nothing but yellow due to all the Osage being worked. I bet it’s there but maybe not near you.

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Like Ryan said, you're in the heart of Osage country. Keep looking and talking to land owners and you'll find some

[@bobgriffin2743]

Steve check out the Oklahoma Selfbow society. They have a big even in March just outside of Stillwater OK. Its a 4 day long event of everything about building selfbows. It falls on the weekend of spring break. You should be able to ask around and get permission to cut Osage somewhere down there. But if not there are hundreds of staves for sell at this event.

[@JoseMiranda-tx5ot]

Porqué no bajan los videos subtítulos al español?

[@dgundeadforge17]

do you sell vine maple staves. I live in newengland, and I have access to regular maples.

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Sorry, I don't I live in NC now so I can't just go out and cut them, unfortunately. Try checking with Echo Archer in Oregon. He might have some. Sugar maple makes a good bow though so don't discount it.

[@dgundeadforge17]

@@SwiftwoodBows okay just wondering. Also when will your next board bow video come out.? Is it backed or a self bow.

[@SwiftwoodBows]

@@dgundeadforge17 it's going to be a self bow. Trying to keep it simple for this build. I might do a board bow build that has more advanced things like reflex, rawhide, tip overlays and such. I hope to get the next video out soon but I'm juggling it with custom orders, a garden and turkey hunting. 🙂

[@trigtrigger9794]

Hello there, I don't want to misspell your name so apologies.. But your videos are exceptional in detail, the way you explain things is with a great deal of patience. I don't understand your views or Subscriber figures on videos as in my personal opinion they are among the most helpful for Bowyer's like myself. I wish there was more I could do than hit the like and subscribe. I feel like I should pay for your time! Third board bow underway btw... Well done man

[@SwiftwoodBows]

Thank you! I'd love to see the channel get more views. I need to work on my polish and presentation a bit. Perhaps that will help. :)

[@anthonygood9274]

Hate to be that guy but not very many people are fortunate enough to have a draw knife but harbor freight is everywhere nowadays. Sorry just wanted to put that out there

[@ryoonit]

Anthony Good If you want to build bows it’s one of the most useful tools and worth the investment. If you don’t have it then remove the wood another way.

[@anthonygood9274]

@@ryoonit sorry should have explained a bit more I've grown up in the middle of the Missouri woods I have more draw knives than I can use 8 or so not to mention all of the planes and spoke shaves and I have a blacksmith shop on the property if I need to make something I don't have was just saying that not everyone is going to have the old tools and might need to get something newer or can be used for other projects around the house

[@SwiftwoodBows]

It's not hard to find old draw knives on ebay if you can't find them locally. There are facebook groups where you can pick them up too. I tried not to limit myself too much with hand tools on this build because I wanted people to see a variety of tools and how they're used. I have a video where I build a bow with only a knife if you want it super simple. :)

[@a.b.k1983]

Speaking from experience, get access to a bandsaw.

[@ryoonit]

Adam Kohn This video is for beginners. He’s specifically avoiding using power tools people might not have.

[@a.b.k1983]

Ryan Yoon I know very well what he’s doing. My statement is more of a suggestion. I wasn’t inferring that anyone go buy one. So if you work where one is located, have a friend or even a local cabinet and furniture maker, ask to use it.

[@SwiftwoodBows]

I've got one, i just didn't think it would be super helpful to beginners to do half the work with powertools. I figure if you have a bandsaw or a beltsander you'll know how to use it and where it could be applied in the process. I even mention times when they could be used.

[@a.b.k1983]

Swiftwood Bows I know you’ve got one and I fully understand what you’re showing. Again, it’s more just a suggestion to go find one to use if at all possible. That’s why my original statement was to get access to one instead of buying one. I brought a board to a local sawmill, explained what I wanted and showed them my layout and they happily cut it out for me. Unless someone really wants to do it with hand tools by all means, carry on.