Outlaw Custom Bows

Outlaw Custom Bows Custom Built, hand crafted, target archery and hunting bows, arrows and accessories. I also make leather armguards and quivers/arrow bags.

An avid archer since age 3 when I was introduced to it by my father, I have been around bows and arrows for 25 years now and have progressed from just shooting them to now making them as well. I can make all-timer bows of various styles ranging from authentic Selfbows suitable for the re-enactment community, laminated, high performance English longbows, high draw weight warbows and more modern loo

king, American style flatbows and recurves for target or hunting applications. I also custom make arrows matched to any bow, taking into account the shooters draw length, draw weight, bow style and intended use. I can include self-nocks (cut into the timber and reinforced with binding, horn or both), suitable for re enactors or a modern glue on plastic nock for more modern applications. Both my bows and arrows are sealed with either oil or varnish, depending on the application. I favour varnish as it is hard wearing and protects the bows more than oil from scratches due to use. If you have any questions on anything archery related don't hesitate to send a message and I will do my best to get the correct answer to you. Straight shooting,

Colin

Still have this custom Wedgetail available. 58" ntn and pulling 45 #@28 inches. The bow is a mango riser with accents of...
02/06/2026

Still have this custom Wedgetail available. 58" ntn and pulling 45 #@28 inches.

The bow is a mango riser with accents of rose sheoak and blackwood. Limbs are maple cores with footed veneers of tiger myrtle and black figured mango. Overlays are rose sheoak and brown glass.

$1400Aud plus shipping. You will not find a 1 off custom bow of this quality at this price anywhere so jump on the chance.

Pm me if you are interested.

22/05/2026

Selfbow build part 8 or 9... (which ever it is) - Longbow String tillering.

This video shows the early stages of long string tillering. For I will use a string that is a half inch to an inch longer than the distance between the nocks along the belly of the bow, so it just barely fits on the bow.

Long string tillering can be accomplished with a static "Notch" style tillering tree when the string is pulled down to bend the limbs slightly and placed in a nock on the tillering stick/tree and left there while the maker assesses the bend of the limbs. It's crucial when using this tillering style to make the center of the string so the string is placed in the notch the same each time, otherwise it can lead to poor readings from the bow and bad adjustments to rhe bend.

If using a dynamic tillering system with a pulley, the maker is able to gauge which limb is stiffer or softer by the direction the hook on the string "sways" to one side (if it does) as the string is drawn down. Ideally the hook on the center of the string will maintain a dead straight track down the tiller, meaning each limb is contributing evenly to the total load.

Watching the overall shape under the limbs and also the curve along the edge of the limbs is the key to tillering. Smooth even curves provide the most even loading where possible. For "Character" staves the small localised reflexes and Deflexes need to be taken into account in the overall shape of the bend.

17/05/2026

String making video.

Setting up pre twists for the second loop to result in a straight bundle on completion. Adding in the pre twists prevents tangles as you tie in the loop into the main string. It also allows you to finish the second loop end with straight strands in the main body of the string which are easier to blend together before serving.

17/05/2026

String making video. Tying the first loop.

This video shows the process of tying the first simple, tidy flemish loop in the string.

A repeated pattern of 'Twists" in each bundle, both twisted the same right hand direction followed by a "cross" of the bundles in an opposing direction provide a bite with friction when tension is applied to the string.

The twist in a single direction through the belly of the string allows the archery to fine tune his brace height as a means to achieve perfect arrow flight in an arrow set up that is super close to a perfect tune.

17/05/2026

Running out the strands for a flemish string on the Jig I like to use.

17/05/2026

Seflbow video No. 7. String making, jig set up and explanation.

Quick video of the jig and how the jig is set up for making Flemish Twist strings the most simple way i have found yet. This is the jig I have been using for my entire bowmaking career, quickly approaching 20 years now.

The next video will cover actually making the string using the jig and some little nuances that might help beginners to learn to make their own strings.

14/05/2026

A short video from what was probably the most important 3 days in my archery... Having que small things one on one to fix fine details in the shot was so influential and beneficial.

Im glad I came across this footage, because this tiny bit of film highlighted just how lazy my shot has become... the little, deliberate, fine movements just arent there anymore, and that has got to change! Forever greatful to have the opportunity to spend time with Tom, Ben and all the lads at the clinic.

13/05/2026

Selfbow instalment number 6 (I believe) for today.

String nocks have been established at 45 degree angles sloping down into the Belly of the bow. This will allow good seating of the string during tillering and shooting.

I have also established the fades to a maximum thickness and refined the ramps into the handle. The fades must have a smooth transition into the handle to prevent a compressive stress concentration that could potentially cause the bow to fail.

Along with the smooth transition into the fades, a thickness taper also needs to be established to arrest strain too far into the handle section. The function of the fades in this style of bow is to gradually ramp up in thickness ceasing possible flexion through the grip throat. With the bow acting as a T shape double cantilever with the maximum bending load at the support point, generally the grip throat and just below it, there must be minimal strain in this region to prevent the load exceeding the material properties causing failure. High stress in conjunction with high strain will fail all wood bows very quickly.

The next video will cover establishing a rough thickness taper on the bowyers vice and then initial shape of long string tillering.

Stay tuned to see the bow progress.

12/05/2026

Selfbow build along video no. ??. Heat bending/heat corrections.

Forgot to record what I actually did here in this bit of the process so I will redo another stave in the next couple of days to actually show what I do to make heat corrections or heat bending reflex/deflexes/recurves into Osage staves.

The form I prefer after trialling many over the years is a "Ring" style form with various different radii for different bow styles. A cheap heat gun and some cheap oil is plenty good enough but decent clamps and quite a few are essential!

This stave was close to in line tip to handle to tip but one limb had some Twist that I removed using the clamps as I heated the reflex.

Pinning the tip and hanging a weight really allows you to pour enough heat into the wood to get it bending without risk of splitting as can be an issue when you try to work too quickly with a limb that is too thick.

10/05/2026

Custom, one of a kind, 58" Wedgetail up for grabs.

Built with exotic footed veneers and accents. Timbers in this one include black and blonde mango, lace sheoak, blackwood and Tiger Myrtle with Rock maple for the limb cores.

Very quiet bow and hits like a hammer! It would be equally suited hunting or on the range.

Draw length out to 30" maximum on this little 58" bow.

Asking $1600 as a reduced rate for this $2000 build. Pm me if you are interested.

Address

Deepwater, NSW

Telephone

+432754489

Website

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