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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Savage on January 29, 2011, 06:55:00 PM

Title: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Savage on January 29, 2011, 06:55:00 PM
I have what may be a strange question. I have alot of Pecan I need to do something with. I don't want to just get rid of it. I was thinking about making youth TD Recurves out of it. I know it will be ok for making the riser but has anyone ever made solid wood limbs without fiberglass?
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: William F. Adams on January 29, 2011, 07:12:00 PM
Not limbs, but I have used pecan for backing strips on bows, and the handle on another.

Pecan is often sold as hickory, so see the literature on hickory.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Aznboi3644 on January 30, 2011, 02:45:00 PM
I'd just make pecan self bows.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: John Scifres on January 30, 2011, 03:25:00 PM
...has anyone ever made solid wood limbs without fiberglass?

Just about everybody before 1940 or so  :)

That would be a selfbow.  Pecan can be great selfbow wood.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Pat B on January 30, 2011, 04:00:00 PM
Pecan is a hickory(Carya sp.)
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Savage on January 31, 2011, 09:48:00 AM
Selfbow? I think I may have heard of one of those. It that one that you make for yourself? Hahaha. Thanks, but I was thinking more of either a solid wood limb mounted to a takedown or as one has suggested, laminating strips of pecan but without fiberglass.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Pat B on January 31, 2011, 10:54:00 AM
A couple of guys on PA have built 3 piece take downs with all wood. Marc St Louis for one made a beautiful one a few years ago. Marc probably used elm(self) but pecan should work fine too.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: John Scifres on January 31, 2011, 11:46:00 AM
Yes you can do either.  Laminating strips would be a composite bow.  I have made several of these with hickory so pecan will work fine.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Savage on January 31, 2011, 11:50:00 AM
Thanks. Now its time to start experimenting! I got one of the risers rough sanded last night, it is in another thread here. Can't wait to see what it will look like finish sanded and sprayed.
Title: Re: Unlaminated Pecan Limbs?
Post by: Osagetree on January 31, 2011, 05:20:00 PM
Seems to me with such a long rigid handle/riser on an all wood 3 peice take down bow, such composite bows would be considerably long in length tip to tip... No???  :confused:  

Would you not want a shorter riser for such a bow?