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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Ranger44 on August 14, 2014, 07:45:00 PM

Title: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: Ranger44 on August 14, 2014, 07:45:00 PM
I live in MN.  My best friend lives here and also has a place in Arkansas.  He has some trees called "crepe myrtle" down south.

I did a search and it seems as though this is a good wood for a stave/self bow.  I was wondering if this is completely different than the myrtle I keep seeing as veneers and handles in composite bows?  He is willing to cut some for me to mill into lumber if I want it.  Is it worth his/my time?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: fujimo on August 14, 2014, 07:55:00 PM
its prolly junk, but send me some test pieces, i will check it out for you- say about half a dozen staves, and enough for 8 or 9 glass bows.
will pm you my address- if you pay the shipping!  :D
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: fujimo on August 14, 2014, 07:57:00 PM
i believe its a good bow wood- from all i have read!
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: KenH on August 14, 2014, 08:12:00 PM
Crepe Myrtle is genus Lagestroemia  a group of plants native to India and grown in subtropical places around the world (like the American South).

Southern Crepe Myrtle should make a good bow-wood.  It's a bit harder than Cherry.

Myrtle either genus Myrtus native to the Mediterranean or genusUmbellularia of California and the PNW a.k.a California Bay or California Laurel.
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: LESKEN2011 on August 14, 2014, 08:16:00 PM
Some excellent self bows have been made from Crepe Myrtle. It is real snappy and is best if you keep it short, from what I have heard. I have a self bow in the works and some staves I plan to mill into lams.
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: Pat B on August 14, 2014, 10:58:00 PM
I've heard CM makes very good bows. The first I saw was a few years ago a guy that went by Thimo. He was making 90#+ longbows with CM.
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: Ranger44 on August 14, 2014, 11:27:00 PM
Thanks guys.  Anybody know what the grain looks like?
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: Mad Max on August 14, 2014, 11:37:00 PM
Blackhawk on primitive archer made one
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: soy on August 15, 2014, 12:27:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mark Daniel:
Blackhawk on primitive archer made one
what hasent He made   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Crepe myrtle wood?
Post by: Mad Max on August 15, 2014, 08:48:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by soy:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by Mark Daniel:
Blackhawk on primitive archer made one
what hasent He made    :thumbsup:  [/b]
X 10 on that