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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: critman on February 19, 2014, 09:33:00 PM

Title: Sassafras?
Post by: critman on February 19, 2014, 09:33:00 PM
Anyone ever used Sassafras for a riser? If so, pics would be appreciated!
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: snapper1d on February 19, 2014, 09:39:00 PM
I have cut a lot of it down here and all were just real white wood heart and all.I have seen pics of it with darker colors in it.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: takefive on February 19, 2014, 10:37:00 PM
I used it along with a strip of redheart for the handle on the first BBO I made.  The piece I had was greyish and it reminded me of elm.  Love the way that it smells, though I have heard that it is somewhat toxic.  What isn't these days?    :rolleyes:

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/Wooden%20bows/IMG_6301_zpseeec3d24.jpg)
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: JamesV on February 20, 2014, 09:59:00 AM
The sassafrass I have is grey with wide grouth rings making for a beautiful riser.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: gobbler716 on February 20, 2014, 01:39:00 PM
That's very nice.  I have a couple of these trees that I will be cutting down soon.  They will be set up for about a year, then become some nice archery products.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 20, 2014, 01:43:00 PM
Is Sassafras pretty strong wood?
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: critman on February 20, 2014, 01:52:00 PM
That's another thing I was wondering Roy. I have some dried and ready to go.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: KenH on February 20, 2014, 01:57:00 PM
Roy -- Sassafras isn't particularly "strong".  How do you mean "strong" though?  Bendable rather than breakable (like Ash vs Balsa)?  Resistant to denting (Ipe compared to Aspen)or something else.

I use it to make mountain dulcimers, and it's a lovely wood to work.  

Under clear glass it would make pretty laminations, and in thicker pieces a nice riser.  But not so much a stickbow.  Not much of a modulus of elasticity...
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 20, 2014, 01:59:00 PM
No, not so strong. I used one for a selfie. Jawge
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: snapper1d on February 20, 2014, 02:04:00 PM
I have never tried using it for a bow but it does make a good tea!!!! And smells good.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 20, 2014, 02:24:00 PM
I was wondering how it would work as a 12 inch riser on a BBO bow, for strength? Say 1" thick by 1 1/4 wide at flares. And how does it hold up to small bumps? Is it soft like yew which you can indent with your finger nail?
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: JamesV on February 20, 2014, 04:48:00 PM
It is a soft wood and not very strong. It makes beautiful accents in Walnut, and cherry risers
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: typical2 on February 20, 2014, 06:16:00 PM
I have a bunch of sassafras tapered laminations ready to go into a few Hill styles.  Sure smells good.  I usually like heavier woods for risers.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Todd Cook on February 21, 2014, 09:31:00 PM
I don't think I would use it in a riser unless something else was supporting it. I really like it as a lamination.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: KellyG on February 21, 2014, 10:16:00 PM
I never have time when I am back east to cut any. I know where a lot of it is at. But I want a couple of staves. I do get a few roots to make me some tea!
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Furtaker on February 22, 2014, 09:03:00 AM
Sassafrass works great for a core in limbs but I wouldn't use it alone in a riser for anything over say, a 40# draw wieght.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: 7 Lakes on February 26, 2014, 07:02:00 PM
It would be interesting to try it in a glass laminated bow.  Perhaps the best use was...
After the "New World" was discovered, Sassafrass tea was thought to be a cure for veneral disease throughout Europe.  A pound of dried bark and roots at one time traded for a pound of gold.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Bowjunkie on February 26, 2014, 09:51:00 PM
Awesome glass bow lams under clear glass. I wouldnt use it in a riser though.
Title: Re: Sassafras?
Post by: Hatrick on February 27, 2014, 09:13:00 PM
This is a picture of sassafras lams stained walnut. Makes a real nice lam and easy to work with. Just watch the saw dust as it's not real good for your health! I wouldn't use it as the main wood in a riser, maybe for accent stripes.

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/Hatrick/OsageHills024_zps379b6213.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Hatrick/media/OsageHills024_zps379b6213.jpg.html)