First selfbow...can't wait!!!

[duck'n]

I picked up my first selfbow on the St. Jude's auction at Tradgang. I have really had the itch to pick one up lately and figured that was the perfect way to do it...after all, we always boast on "great deals" but when do we get to brag about paying too much...especially for such a great charity. Anyway, I don't know squat about selfbows so if anyone has any tips on maintenance, stringing, shooting, overall care, etc. let me know. I also am in the market for some 45-50 cedars if anyone has a good source...nothing too fancy just yet...something to get shooting with. The bow is made by hunterdfk at tradgang (David) and is 58" and 47#@28" with antler nocks, ostritch leather handle wrap, and copperhead skins. Here are a few pics.

Cookin' Fish (Medium).jpg

Fish (Medium).jpg

[yleecoyote23]

That is a beauty right there!!! Love them skins!!

Not much maintenance for selfbows, just DON'T leave them strung...

Good luck with it!

[Buff]

o wow thats sweet. I bought some Silver Flame broad heads. I have been wanting to try them so I figured this was a good excuse to spend the money. The last time I checked they were over $70,000.00 raised

[Kevin Breaux]

Brian,
Maintenance depends on the finished used as a sealer. If he used a polyurethane or Varthane blend, no worries. If he used paraffin, tung oil or a natural based sealer like bear fat or bees wax, you will need to re-seal as needed. If you use the bow in rain or inclement weather, I'd say re-seal bi-annually for the natural type sealers or sooner if the wood looks dull or water does not bead on the surface.

Arrows, hum... the best arrows I have ever used come from one of our own. I hate to put the man on the spot, but his talent supercedes any I have encountered. He has a regular job and makes arrows as a hobby. He would be the first I would contact, his user name is Caddo.

[duck'n]

You're right Buff, a huge effort by a bunch of great guys. I am anxious to hear how those Silver Flames work out for you but I doubt they will be anything less than awesome. I was just checking out a thread on them (here on TBH) and reading on their website. Pretty incredible stuff.

Kevin, thanks for the tips. I have a PM into David so I will be sure and ask what he finished it with. I hope my check gets there soon. LeRoy has it all ready to go as soon as he gets the green light.

[Chunky]

very nice.

[kirkw101]

i built me selfbow about 3 yrs ago and it turned out pretty okay. to me the biggest thing about them is how quiet they are. mine never needed anything on the string.
I know a guy in salado who has about the fastest and quietest selfbow I have ever shot. he is also a darn good flintknapper too.

my bow was very hard to find the right arrow for. all my lam. bows are not that picky really. but my selfbow took a few days to get everything just so. I got my shafts from suzanne st. charles, it took a few days but she got a dz poc within +/- 2lbs. that is how finicky that osage bow is.

have fun with it.
kirk

[Texas5o]

Kirk,
Would that guy in Salado happen to be Sam Stephens?

[duck'n]

Kevin, the finish is Tru-Oil.

kirkw101, that is what sold me on a selfbow/wood lam bow. I shot one of Kevin's BBO and was amazed at how quiet and dead in the hand that sucker was. I decided right then and there, I needed one. I want to build a bow sometime but with time being so limited right now, I figured I would buy one then build one later.

Thanks for everyones advice. Hopefully it will ship tomorrow and I will be shooting it soon!

[LostHawg]

I'd print out the auction and file it.

[kirkw101]

steve,

sam it is. he might be the most hardcore bowhunter I have ever met. I have a cousin in Mi. that tops him but sam has a family and Nick doesn't.
Nick got his nads snipped when he was 18 yrs old.he said he didn't want anything coming between him and his bow,this guy has run off more girl friends than I can count.good looking girls too! the only 2 places he goes during hunting season is hunting/work.
"livin the dream mater boy" LOL

kirk
PS. dads will get the "mater boy" thing.

[duck'n]

Sam is definately hardcore. He guided me and a buddy this past February at Crystal Creek. I hung out with him all weekend trying gain a little knowledge. Sure had a good time. I didn't know he was getting out of the selfbow thing. He was telling me about a "class" if you want to call it that. You come to his house and pick out a stave then he shows you how to make it a bow. Sounded like a good time...just couldn't get away. Anyway, tell Sam I said hello when you get a chance Steve! As a matter of fact, he put me on the Aoudad in my avatar the FIRST afternoon of our hunt! Sam is a good guy and alot of fun to talk with.

[kirkw101]

hope I did not give the impression that sam was getting out of selfbows.

he help me w/ my selfbow.
stand up guy.

kirk

[duck'n]

No I think it was Steve that told me he got rid of all his staves. Heck maybe I am dreaming this stuff up. Did I mention that my wife just had our SECOND set of twin GIRLS!?!?! Not only am I severly outnumbered but I just can't think straight either!

Sam also used to run a trad shop...that would be worth a trip from the Valley right there! I wish there were a few more trad shops around...especially run by guys with that knowledge base and experience level.

[ferg620]

Congratulations

Congratulations on the birth of your new babies. You sure have been blessed - twice. The best of everything to you, your wife and the children.

Don F.