BOWS
Selfbows
I prefer to make selfbows from Osage orange (Maclura pomifera)
but can make them from other woods as desired. I like to shoot a 62"
- 68" selfbow at my normal hunting weight all year long. I feel this
allows me to be a little more consistent in my shooting. I will make
the bow to your specifications. All selfbows come with a new Flemish
twist string. I normally prefer to add a bison horn tip arrow shelf
but can use wood or other materials as desired.
Adult Osage orange selfbow, 45# and up: $350 - $375
Lightweight Osage orange selfbow, 30 - 45#: $250 - $300
Youth Osage orange selfbow, 20 - 30#: $175 - $225
Pee Wee Osage orange selfbow, up to 20#: $100 - $150
A few Osage orange selfbows. Note the color variation
A hunting weight Osage selfbow
A youth Osage selfbow
A pee wee Osage selfbow
I make selfbows as long or short and as heavy or light as is desired
and is feasible. I can make you a 5# bow, and I can make you a 75#
bow. Many of my bows have what people often refer to as "character."
This may be a hole through the wood, a snaky limb, undulations, or
knots. All bows are guaranteed to be shooters. Imperfections in the
wood are actually well compensated for in the natural growth of the
tree.
Alternative Woods (check for availability):
yew, red mulberry, sassafras, hickory, maple, ironwood, and Eastern
red cedar.
Sinew-backed Bows
I use elk or deer leg sinew to back some bows. Sinew-backed bows are
shorter in length and more durable. All sinew-backed bows normally
come with a bison horn tip arrow shelf.
Adult Osage orange selfbow, 45# and up: add $150
Lightweight Osage orange selfbow, 30 - 45#: add $150
Youth Osage orange selfbow, up to 30#: add $100
Pee Wee Osage orange selfbow, up to 20#: add $80
Sinew backing around a hickory knot with bark
The guy that bought this bow took a deer with
it.
Bows like this are real weapons, not toys.
Snakeskin Backing
A snakeskin backing is a good way to help waterproof a sinew backing,
and it adds a nice primitive look to the bow. Some people also consider
it to be nice natural camouflage and like to add it to a selfbow.
Diamondback Rattlesnake backing: add $100
Prairie Rattlesnake backing: add $85
Diamondback rattlesnake skin backing
Prairie rattlesnake skin backing
Tip Overlays
I can use bison horn tips for limb tip overlays on all bows I make.
They are affixed with hide glue and tied down with sinew. These overlays
are really just for aesthetic appeal; they serve no real function
on my bows.
Bison Horn Tip Overlays, add $60
Bison horn tip overlay on a sinew-backed hickory
bow
Bison horn tip overlay on an Osage selfbow
Bison horn tip arrow rest on an Osage selfbow
