The Traditional Bowyer's Bible

Traditional Bowyer's Bible

by Jim Hamm (Editor), Steve Allely, Tim Baker

These volumes offer the combined experience of many bowmakers. In three indispensable volumes, the experts reveal their secrets and techniques, complete with important and entertaining historical highlights, hundreds of photographs and illustrations, and practical advice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Guides, History, Reference, Unfinished, Outdoors, Woodwork

326 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1993

Reviews

[Hunter Choy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like reading the Bible, but for bowyers.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 5 out of 5]

It offers extensive coverage from the selecting of wood and materials bows have been made of from around the world. It goes on some length actually, and only gets to the actual part about making bows near the end. It covers tillering, making and using hide glue, and making arrows. Only part it doesn't really cover is the making of the string, simply recommending people use polyester dacron. Though perhaps that is covered in future volumes. I would give it 4.5 stars.

[Chinmoy Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for someone who wants to learn how to make bows, as well as the entire series.

[Mark Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid in the 50s, I became interested in archery largely due to the Richard Green version of Robin Hood on TV at the time.
When I was a bit older, I read Howard Hill's "Hunting The Hard Way". Hill was a prominent archer and archery hunter of the period.
At the time the book was published, archery was in a bit of decline, and Hill gave instructions for building your own tackle.
At the time, as a young teen, I didn't know a spokeshave from a bastard file.... So I filed the information away for later. Like.....Lots later.

I got into making things later in life and decided to give this bow-making a try. I found this series of books to be invaluable, as were several internet forums.
As at least one other viewer described, my first attempt (with a piece of poplar) ended rather explosively... But after that I made several nice bows and one I'm rather proud of, an Osage Orange number from a stave generously sent my by one of the guys on a forum.

Simply put, if you want to investigate primitive archery....These are the books for you. Plenty of solid history as well.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been an archer for about 13 or so years and when I learned that I could build a bow I had to know how, so this was the book recommended to me. I must have read the thing like 5 times before I attempted my first bow(which exploded because I rushed it) but this book gave me the information I needed to build a serviceable bow. there is all sorts of "data" in this book for the more experienced bowyer, but, It will become handy if you follow thru to the other volumes in this series (which are a must read to get the whole experience).

[Robbe Clerckx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this book I attended a two-day bow-making workshop (which was awesome), where I learned a lot.
A few months past and then I borrowed this book from someone, so I HAD to make another bow!

I learned a lot from this book, there are lots of detailed descriptions accompanied by helpful pictures. The first volume contains everything you need to know to make a bow. The authors are not afraid to break conventions and are open to new ideas.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I've only read volumes 1 and 2 so far, but have been a little frustrated. These books have an amazing amount of information regarding wooden bowmaking, but they never actually tell you how to do it. How do I make a wooden bow? I feel like three or four pages would have been plenty on this subject.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early chapters contain good history and recommended reading on archery in general. This volume introduces important theory on self and backed bow making, especially wood selection, making and finding blanks, tools, tillering and truing.

[David Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice and instructive book, it speaks abput not only the techniques used to craft a wooden bow but even about the history of bowyery.
despite I've never tried woodcrafting this book motivated me even more than how I was before.

[Joseph Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best on Bow making

I own the entire series in print, now that they are ebooks I will be buying them as well. You would be hard pressed to find a better series on Bow making. Since reading these books and few others I am now a life long student.

[mj]

Working my way through the 4 volumes in this series now. Will post a fuller review when I've tried actual construction.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cool

[Doggrral · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent material on making bows, hide glues and traditional techniques.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding... I am starting on volumes two through four now.

[Daniel]

excellent