Anyone ever tried using walnut as a board bow? I know its a very oily wood and was wondering if i could make a bow from it, and if so what i should do concerning the oily - ness if anything. Thanks    

I had thought about making one but the boards at my store did not have a straight enough grain personally.

I built my wife a walnut bow backed with hickory. 45# @ 26 D style bow. After some shooting it took a lot of set and later developed some really bad frets on the belly. Can't say if it was the walnut or my limited experience at the time. If you build

If you build this bow I would be very interested in the outcome.

I have made a youth bow from it. It was from a tree split stave. It does take a lot of set but it is about 30 pounds at 16 inch draw. Wide limbs in profile, 40 inches and looks really nice. The next one I make from Walnut I will deflex it a bit with heat and a form. Again, makes a beautiful bow.

Bruce

Well my board actually does have surprisingly straight grain but it was a little wide to make a stickbow like i planned, so i cut a 1 inch strip off of it and made a 72" walnut longbow around 25# @ 28" not a hint of set after 20 shots.. if anyone wants a pic ill upload em'. Working on the rest of it a pyramid style flatbow 60" ntn.

Lets see some pics!!!!

The first one has a bit of the limb out of the pic, but don't worry i assure you it is bending!  

Good job Dave!!!