The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 2 Paperback – March 1, 2000

These volumes can be expensive... But you get what you pay for, I assure you. The set goes over everything you would need to know. However, you won't fully understand what this book is talking about until you start covering your work space floor with wood shavings. My advice is read the section you want are about to tackle. As you read just know that whatever you don't understand is something you probably won't understand until you get your hands dirty. After you tackle that part of the process, go back and re-read the section. You will have all sorts of little light bulbs going off. This is used more as a reference for bowyering, not a read it once and you are good to go. You will learn something almost every time you read over this.So read it, try it, read it again.These volumes also have extensive sections on different styles of bows and arrows through different era's and cultures. Some of these bows will blow your mind, but also seeing all these different styles helps to build your confidence in making your own bow. There are so many types and styles you feel less likely to screw up, because if your bow doesn't come out the way you wanted it to, it most likely came out in a way that one culture or another used for centuries.If you are serious about wanting to be a bowyer at any level, take the plunge and get the set. You won't regret it.

I bought this for $13.00 US from went to wright a review a day after I received it and now it's listed for $40.00... for paperback? It's a good book but all I'm saying guys is don't let someone rip you off on this.

I enjoy exploring traditional crafts and skills our ancestors would have needed to survive in the wilderness, so this was a real thrill to find. The book is very complete in its directions and discussions on bow-making, and the illustrations are easy to use and follow. Though I have not (yet) actually tried to make myself a bow and arrows, I am sure I not only could but will in the semi-near future (a good wintertime project).There's a Volume I called The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1  that I am planning on purchasing in the near future, since some of the things in Volume II refer back to the first volume, and in order to be completely clear on some of the fine points of making a bow, I think I need to look at both volumes to compare.The price was right, and the copy I received was perfect in every way.

For those interested in making traditional bows these books come highly recommended. The instructions are simple enough for beginners, and detailed enough that experienced bowyers can learn several new techniques, a rare quality in many "how to" books. Explained very well are the theory's or why's behind the instruction. This volume, # 2 explains bow construction from boards, recurve bows, composite bows, bow strings from natural and manufactured materials, bending wood, steel points, and quivers. Bows from ancient Europe, and the eastern woodlands are studied and explained in detail. Chapters written on hints, shortcuts, and shooting accuracy improvement are also very valueable. The chapter on board bows was worth the price of the book by itself, as I am unable to cut bow staves from trees.

The old man's been making primitive bows for about a year now and had been looking at this series for a while. He was happy to receive Vol. 2 as a gift for his first book due to topics he'd seen listed in its previews he wanted to learn more about.

i bought this book and volume 1, both of which have been somewhat handy, as far as making bows its not very helpful but it does give you insight as to how to make bows. theres also a lot of history and that type of information, as well as prep for your process of making bows/arrows.

This book is packed with great information on bows--and arrows. While I've made a large number of atlatls (spear throwers) and other hunting weapons, I'm just now going to give making my own bows a try. This book, along with its companion volumes, is really going to help me build a much better bow the first try than I would without it. A most authoritative work.

My 16 year old wanted this set for Christmas, so I got it for him. He read them over the winter and then as soon as school was out he made himself a long bow -- that actually worked. He had no prior woodworking experience, so I guess the books must be pretty good.

Although this review is for one volume of this series, it is impossible to ignore the other volumes in the set.This series of books provides everything you need to know to turn a tree into a fully functional bow. It caters for all required depths of knowledge, with instructions for making a particular type of bow, through to the science of bow making and provides tables and calculations needed to design and produce a bow specifically designed to fulfill your requirements. This includes historical information and also primitivist and traditional skills such as making glue from sinue and the use of other materials. The information of choosing the right wood and methods for harvesting wood are excellent.The text is written by numerous authors who are each respected experts in their own specialism, which means that this series of books (originally intended to be a three volume set but an additional volume was added to provide and even more in depth scientific approach to the subject (handy for nerds like me). Each author has their own writing style, and the text can be humorous at the same time and stuffed full of anecdotes and confessions which encourage the reader to have a go and not worry about screwing up.The drawback with the series is that although the first volume provides enough information to produce a bow, the other three volumes (especially vol 2 and 3) are essential to gain the full benefit of the awesome knowledge and experience these bowyers have generously imparted to the reader. Calling any series the "bible" of a subject is a bold and brave claim, in this instance however, I totally agree. If the price for the full set is prohibitive, I would recommend buying volume one first (Tim Bakers chapter on bow design is incredibly comprehensive by itself and not to be missed), then look at the description of contents of the other volumes and buy accordingly, as and when you have the spare cash. If you can only afford to splash out on one set of books on the subject, then this, to me is the one to go for.

Much of what I would say about this volume is identical to my review of Volume 1 - hard work at times, but well worth the effort, and not written for those who want a step-by-step guide.I was particularly pleased to see the chapters on Ancient European Bows, and Recurves, as these are my main area of interest as a bowyer.Buy it, put the effort in, it's worth it.And by the way, yes, I make bows the traditional way, as described in this series of books.

I don't believe that this sort of review greatly influences the decision to buy or not to buy but, if you are serious about archery and bow making, you can't miss this book. I have been shooting and making bows for twenty years and now have volumes 1,2 & 3 of The Traditional Bowyer's Bible and am learning every time I turn a page. The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Volume 2The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Volume 2

The second installment of the bowyers bible is a must for anyone who is interested in making their own bows (which is not as hard as it appears).It is also a very good read for anyone interested in traditional archery in any shape or form.As in the first book the authors instill a passion for their art that is infectious and easy reading.Can't wait to get the third book :-)

This will be one of my Christmas Prsents so after being allowed to quickly scan through, it looks a very good book for self wood bow makers, it has now been put away so will be in a better position to comment after Christmas