The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1,   ISBN:9781585740857

Customer Rating: 

The authors give very good descriptions and instruction on the process of making bows as well as great information on the processes of design and testing of bows.

There is some great historical information as well as lots of practical skills and information that will help you to make your own bow from cutting down a tree to seeing the arrow fly.

Customer Rating: 

A great book, loaded with information. My 12 year old son is now making his first bow out of red oak, and he's been studying this book non-stop. He quotes the authors by name and practically has this memorized. He wants to move to Oregon to get the kinds of wood mentioned in the book, but we've found a way to make a bow out of oak for now, instead...He's looking forward to reading the other volumes.

Customer Rating: 

I am currently about half way through this first volume. I've decided to place the book down for just a moment to give it my review. I'd like to say that this book is far more then what I had expected it to be. As I stand half way through this first volume I feel overwhelmed with an eagerness to continue learning. The way in which the fundamentals are laid out in front of you makes it extremely simple to understand. I am so glad that I've purchased this book. I've decided to purchase the entire series of volumes 1-4. I honestly hope that this review helps the aspiring bowyer to make the right decision, buy this series.

Customer Rating: 

(This review pertains to the first three volumes as a whole. I do not own the new 4th volume ... yet.)

The Traditional Bowyer's Bible can be reviewed fairly briefly.

On the pro side:

- The authors are traditional archery experts.
- The content is wide-ranging, covering longbows, recurves, flatbows, backed bows, composite bows, takedowns, asymmetrical bows, arrows, nocks, fletching, backings, finishing, tools, etc. Virtually every bow type is represented and from every area of the world and from ancient history to the present day.
- The books contain original material, such as information on hysterisis.
- The content covers basics to very advanced topics.
- Though the authors express individual preferences here and there(bow types, woods, etc.), taken as a whole the material is quite neutral and fact-based.
- Design is emphasized as much as construction, perhaps more so. I'd go further and say the intent of the series is to teach foundational material and definitely not to present simple how-to instructions. I've made bows using these books, but see comments below, too.
- There is very little throw-away material, here meaning text that preaches to the choir about the virtues of traditional archery.

On the con side:

- The material is topically organized (e.g., design, tillering, woods). While that's terrific for the topic, it isn't the best for the step-by-step how-do-I-make-a-bow reader. You really have to read the bulk of the material to put it together.
- These may not be the best books for someone just starting out in traditional archery. The authors presume basic knowledge of archery and terminology. A newcomer, unless extraordinarily enthusiastic, will be overwhelmed.
- There's a lot of line drawing illustrations. I would prefer photos.
- The multiple volume approach isn't really necessary, given the size of each, drives up the price of the total, and I would like to see the series published in a single volume.

The cons are nits, however. This book series provides an extremely comprehensive view of traditional archery and is a must-have on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the topic.

Customer Rating: 

THIS IS the book and series you are looking for to get a great start in making hand made archery equipment !! Well written and insightful it answers many questions and gets you started making a bow of your own quickly. WHAT A BARGAIN - A MUST HAVE SERIES FOR THE BEGINNING BOWYER... SO MUCH HELP FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN CRAFTING ARCHERY EQUIPMENT.