Except for bows I make much of my gear. But I consider the best trad archery investment I've ever made (trad archery = hunting archery in my view) to be that long ago I made up my mind to resist caving in to easy-peezy archery, the kind that borrows gadget accessories, commercial hype and target aiming mindsets to make what's supposed to be hard into something that cheats and even completely changes the idea of what personal challenge means in archery. Were I to start making my own hunting bows now they'd probably be selfbows, for that same reason...keeping it harder and simpler. If constant meat supply or pure survival became the prime objective I'd use a rifle again.

No matter what modern hype tries to turn it into, traditional archery goes beyond just being super accurate or even making your own gear. Its a mindset first and foremost. It requires an ongoing conscious effort to try and hold the line on selling out the hard and challenging parts for selfish convenience. It's an island of personal conviction in a commercial sea made of money, the former unfortunately growing ever smaller as time passes.

I agree. It's a big sense of fulfillment to have success with your own home

Nice bow. What is the riser wood?

This pic was from ETAR a few years ago. Everything I'm using except the arm guard and glove I made. I'm certainly far from the the world's best bowyer, but when I occasionally shoot a bow that I didn't make, I kind of feel like I'm cheating on myself.

I now make some of the arrows I shoot. Some have been very crude, but some of them looked pretty good. However, even if they are uglier than a mud fence, if they shoot good they are good arrows. The only other major product I have attempted is, with the help of my mom, is a ghillie suit. It worked out well.

I think the longer one is into archery or any other activity, the more one takes on building his own equipment I've been shooting sticks for more than 60 years. Have built my own bow and back quivers, wood and bamboo arrows for sure, including feathers I've processed from turkeys I shot, strings, arm guards, etc. Built some glass laminated longbows and TD limbs for my Bighorn riser, as well as selfbows.

Have also built and restored wood and canvas canoes for more than 30 years. Another traditional endeavor. Make my own canoe paddles, too, of course. Was a time I was into building Musky and fly rods.

When I was big into waterfowl hunting, I also made a number of down filled jackets and vests.

Have never been able to build a good shooting glove though. Converted to 3-under a few years ago so no longer need a good glove, though I still have a few on the rack. :>)

i find it very enjoyable to build what I can.Arrows,Flemish strings and leather quivers.Never tried building a bow yet tho. I would encourage any one ,that hasnt yet to try thos things.

I like the " no blueprints" part best. Yup, that's me. A stick drawing in my notebook, for posterity.

My Moose planter

I've added a deck and firepit

A few years ago I decided I really needed a hangout/workshop in my own backyard. A place to make "stuff". A one man hammer and nail (no nail guns), and no help even though it was offered and no blueprint to go by.

I love to build things with my hands. I am a woodworker and build most of my archery equipment from bows, arrows, arrow shafts, 4 finger footed arrows, gloves, tabs, arm guards, strings, stringers, etc.

I make almost all my own gear including my own quiver, tabs, strings, string boards, and feather rests. I have my own system for processing feathers and I really enjoy cresting and flething.

I have made as much of my equipment as possible over the years including arrows, strings, quivers, gloves and arm guards, but I also like to buy these items from time to time just to try something new and to make sure that I am supporting archery generally.

Another aspect of DYI is a person can experiment like with arrow finishes, feather length, shape, etc. Sure, I have had my share of “uglies” but at least I gave it a shot. I remember an arm guard I made that looked like I was wearing a saddle. Or the arrows I dipped in latex house paint that weighted a ton, you get the idea.

I assemble all of my own arrows. With the cost of components these days, I'm not sure about the cost savings..., but I enjoy the process.

I've been building my own cedar arrows now for more than a few years. However, I've been building fishing rods (mostly surf rods) for 50 years. Although I haven't built a rod in awhile I still have all the equipment including a professional rod lathe. Frank

Plenty of pride in making my own gear. Leather Hill style quivers, arrows and racks are my main projects.

Deno

I enjoy making my own arrows, strings, quivers, gloves, arm guards and tabs. Leather side plates and arrow rests also.

Even if the item is not perfect, I still get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I made my own and it actually, (hopefully!), works.