Print Page - Thinking about my next bow. With pics

Title: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: Stump73 on May 16, 2011, 05:00:00 PM

I got a piece of locust today and was wondering if it was good enough for a bow?
Thanks, Mike

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 16, 2011, 06:05:00 PM

Black?

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: Stump73 on May 16, 2011, 08:09:00 PM

Not sure but here are some pics it had thorns on it.
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/mshepherd1/morebowpics019.jpg)
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/mshepherd1/morebowpics021.jpg)
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/mshepherd1/morebowpics020.jpg)

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: okie64 on May 16, 2011, 11:27:00 PM

Looks like black locust. I've never seen one made from that small of a tree but it could probably be done. I would think the hard part would be getting the sapwood to dry without checking too much. I'm sure someone else will be along here to help you out more than I can.

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 17, 2011, 07:33:00 AM

I second Locust. Lots of early growth there as well. Thats the softer white rings you see.

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: inksoup on May 17, 2011, 08:08:00 AM

if you leave it like this during the drying there will be a cracks and the wood will be ruined. i suggest you to splice it and bind them strongly together (avoid the bending) then let it dry. locust is best wood to make bow (my opinion). it has very high elasticity value.

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: Stump73 on May 17, 2011, 04:16:00 PM

Should I use the sapwood or the heart? I was thinking about making for daughter. She is 13 and can pull back only about 20 to 25#.
Thanks Mike

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 17, 2011, 05:22:00 PM

Sapwood has to go, just like osage. The rings look thick enough to make that fairly easy. I would split that log in half, peel it, get rid of the sapwood and seal the heck out the back and ends asap.

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: 2treks on May 17, 2011, 05:25:00 PM

Maybe good for two bows.You can try twice anyhow.
I have seen some very good bows made from osage limbs that started out way smaller than that tree. Good luck

Title: Re: Thinking about my next bow. With pics
Post by: hova on May 17, 2011, 06:48:00 PM

debark first. i had one a little bigger and i split it without debarking , and it had one heck of a twist in it.

good luck
-hov

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