Making Indian Bows and Arrows, The Old Way

asked by bigben on November 22, 2006 6:22 PM

This exciting Eagle's View edition includes all you need to know to make powerful and attractive Native American bows with an easy-to-follow text together with numerous illustrations and photos. The reader is shown how to use both primitive and modern techniques of bow and arrow making.

The book explores in detail acquiring tools and woods; designing the bow to fit your purposes; how to cut the wood and shape it to your design; how to bring the bow to a perfect arc; methods for recurving and/or reflexing the bow for added speed; backing the bow with wood, rawhide, intestine or sinew; dozens of ideas and photos for finishing the bow; photos and instructions for applying a snakeskin back; making quivers and cases with hides, beads and more; arrowsmithing from natural or modern materials; making bow strings with techniques that are understandable to even the beginning bowyer; and shooting the way that Native Americans did years ago.

Written for the beginning craftsman with over 200 illustrations, photos, charts and diagrams, this book will be invaluable to anyone interested in traditional weapons of the American Indian, their material culture and/or early Americana.

119 illustrations; 116 photographs; 5 charts.

Buy this book

[report to moderator]

Reviews

Informative book, pretty deep insight into how NA bows and arrows were made, used, decorated, etc. Some good photos, descriptions, worth the money and read. I keep mine for reference, as it has loads of specific info in the book. Advanced bowyers would likely not like the book, folks who are just starting or want to learn the NA way that these things were done will like it.

reviewed by reader99 on November 23, 2006 11:23 PM

[report to moderator]

I'm the author of the book, and appreciate the criticisms and praises. I *would* like to let folks know that I wrote this book when I was 19 years young, and had a lot to learn. I wrote it in response to a very bad, and misinformative book that was considered the 'bible' of indigenous archery books at the time. Now, there are many books available on this wonderful subject.
Jim Hamm's book, video, and classes are invaluable. So is TM Hamilton's book, and DC Waldorf as well.
Don't miss my "Voices of Native America" music book as well.

reviewed by scanner on November 29, 2006 1:15 PM

[report to moderator]

The other title of the same author "making arrows the old way" has its text already fully printed within "making indian bows and arrows the old way". Amazon gave me a discount so I could get both titles at once, and I end up having twice the same text and pictures on arrows... Do not do like me, buy only this title, not the arrow one. Nice book by the way...

reviewed by pits on November 29, 2006 3:59 PM

[report to moderator]

This book is overall pretty good, but does not offer much for the slightly experienced bowyer. He is very narrow in his writings and do not discuss options very broadly, but makes a rapid and narrow conclusion. I also missed a little bit on the thing I bought the book for, which was how to make the weapons the old way, with primitive tools. He mentions it briefly, but is much more detailed on the use of metals instead. For beginners it is ok, but there are many similar books that provide better and more detailed information on making bows and arrows.

reviewed by bestseller on November 29, 2006 6:17 PM

[report to moderator]

This is a book written from the heart by a man who wants to share his knowledge. It is a practical help with explanations and guidance on the correct materials and their applications in the makings of various catergories of indian bows and accessories. The traditions have been handed down through the author and he has taken the courage and effort to write it down. The narrative is perhaps a little naive, but the heart is in the right place. He has gone to a lot of trouble to learn his art, which is different from the glass and wood bowyers. His designs are good and well researched and my youngest now has a passion for a snakeskin bow and natural arrows. A true native design in simplicity and understanding.

reviewed by squeege on November 29, 2006 7:32 PM

[report to moderator]

add a new book!