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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Brent Hill on January 31, 2010, 08:14:00 AM

Title: Honey locust for primitive bows
Post by: Brent Hill on January 31, 2010, 08:14:00 AM
I have been building a few board bows and finally got the itch to cut some osage and start the curing process.  During that time I had to wrestle hundreds of honey locusts on my land to get to the osage.  We consider the locusts to be trash trees here in Texas but I read on the bowyer's den where it was once used as bow wood.  I'm thinking about building a bow with them since I can't touch the osage logs until later.  Anyone have any experience with honey locust outside of being impailed ?  Thanks
Title: Re: Honey locust for primitive bows
Post by: sulphur on January 31, 2010, 08:26:00 AM
i had the same thought.  i did cut one but decided the piece was no suitable.  its hard to find any close to straight and long. i am still interested in trying it hopefully some one will give more info.
Title: Re: Honey locust for primitive bows
Post by: Pat B on January 31, 2010, 10:28:00 AM
I have never used honey locust but I have seen quite a few very nice honey locust bows. Honey locust pods makes great wildlife mast also.
Title: Re: Honey locust for primitive bows
Post by: Bob Barnes on January 31, 2010, 09:14:00 PM
dang things keep my tractor tires full of holes...  :(   never used it...black locust is good though.   :)
Bob
Title: Re: Honey locust for primitive bows
Post by: Flinttim on January 31, 2010, 09:32:00 PM
Honey locust would be the less desirable of the locusts. Pretty soft stuff.Black locust will make a fine bow but does fret pretty easy if you don't make the belly flat.