Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: stringstretcher on August 17, 2012, 05:42:00 AM

Title: Choice of woods?
Post by: stringstretcher on August 17, 2012, 05:42:00 AM
For someone just starting out to make his own bows, what would be a good choice of wood for laminations to start with, knowing there is a lot of trial and error before getting the like you want.  Without going to the high priced lumber for the first bows, what would be a good starting choice?  I have bamboo flooring for some so will not need that yet.
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: kennym on August 17, 2012, 12:56:00 PM
Maple, red elm, hickory are readily available and fairly inexpensive.
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: stringstretcher on August 17, 2012, 01:07:00 PM
Thanks Kenny.
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: kennym on August 17, 2012, 04:47:00 PM
I forgot to say they are very good limb woods, hickory is a bit heavier,but I've seen some fast ones with hickory!
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: stringstretcher on August 17, 2012, 05:20:00 PM
Thanks Kenny.  I am sure you and I will be talking soon on some lams.   ;)
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 17, 2012, 06:05:00 PM
Charlie, Kenny even has pink wood...   :laughing:
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: jsweka on August 17, 2012, 08:16:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Roy from Pa:
Charlie, Kenny even has pink wood...    :laughing:  
...and Roy buys it up and uses it in his bows too.    :laughing:
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 17, 2012, 09:45:00 PM
Ok John.

Yer name has been added to the thumpen list son...
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: jsweka on August 17, 2012, 10:14:00 PM
YES!!  Now I know I'm somebody, 'cause you ain't nobody until you get on Roy's thumpen list.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Choice of woods?
Post by: Bowjunkie on August 18, 2012, 06:46:00 AM
Also, readily available, great performing and great looking lam woods should include cherry, sassafras, and black walnut. They're underated IMO. If you're going to go as heavy as hickory, you might as well throw in black locust, ash, osage, etc. They may lose a few fps to the less dense woods, but they still make a handsome bow with sufficient cast.