My first custom bow is on the drawing board and I'm debating riser woods with the bowyer. I love the rich reds of the cocobolo and other Dalbergia woods. But, I'd prefer to use native woods over contributing even a little bit to demand for over-taxed tropical hardwoods. However, I have a piece of mohagany from an earlier life as a traditional sailor that I would love to put to use in such an honorable way. What are your opinions and experiences with using mahogany for the riser? Of course, I have the opinion of the bowyer, but I'm really interested in what you all have to say.
My thanks in advance.
I have used mahogany for accents but never for a completely riser. Might consider using an I beam to add strenth as I have read that mahogany is brittle and not very strong.
Which kind of mahagony? I have a piece of sapeli here and it is very light weight...
Thanks, I have no idea how to tell what kind of Mahogany - any clues? It's very even grained, close and dense.
No good IMO. Not strong enough.
Nope, I tried it and it split apart!
If you want a native hardwood that is dense and pretty try Texas Ebony or Persimmon heart if you can find it. Both are so dense that they will suspend or sink in water and are tough as nails.
Bonner