So now that my edge sander is fixed, I've got the big itch to build another longbow after a year hiatus. I've narrowed it down to this gorgeous zebrawood or this really nice red elm. I'm trying to also decide on a riser. I'm a wood guy and the more figure the more I typically like it. I have a really nice piece of cocobolo but I think I want to save it for a recurve. I'm thinking either bocote or zebra. I some nice east Indian rosewood but I think I'm going to save that for this curly hickory that I have here. I have a block of bocote/ Osage that I glued up a few years back I may use. I also have a really nice block of myrtle but I think I want to save that to couple with the cocobolo. [attachment=1,msg2987551][attachment=2,msg2987551]
Those zebra lams have a really nice grain pattern for limbs.
I like it when the grain is kind of chaotic toward the center and then straightens out the last half of the limb toward the tip.
Thats nice zebra wood,I would stay away from red elm, red elm lams have a tendency to break veneers are ok but the wood is too porous and brittle. There are much nicer looking veneers available than red elm, coco bolo and zebra are a great combo .