I got a couple sledge hammer handles, they look bran new, the grain seems good. They are Hickory.  If I cut off the tapered bit where the hammer head goes and do a z splice I think I might be able to get a usable stave out of them.
Anyone ever done this before?

Any obvious problems in this idea?  

Thanks!

Sturm

It should be ok.

TBM had an article about pick axe handle bows, maybe 3-4 years ago?

It seems you'd have almost as much in sledge hammer handles as you would if you bought a decent stave or board.

I did it years ago when I first got into making bows because I didn't know where to get boards back then.
I made a 60# or so sinew backed recurve out of mine.
That wasn't the best choice of design for my humid climate but it worked and that was all I cared about then!

Yeah Pat I would love to come across a real stave of hickory or Especially Osage, Just not quite ready I don't think. I inherited these handles from my buddy who is moving. I figured why let them become fire pokers when they might make a useable bow.?.. either way it will be good practice.... I am turning into a bow making junkie. Since that Euc. bow I posted a couple weeks ago, I have started a Guava, Red Oak is at tiller stage, I have  a BBH glueing up and now this...handle bow might be a takedown. I  went from 0-100MPH real quick.

Thanks Guys! (its your fault        )

Sturm

I bet you could trade a guava stave for a hickory or osage stave from someone.
Heck, give the handles a try. You won't know til you try.

I read an article about using axe handles years ago. Had to be late 80's. I spliced like in the Glen St. Charles video. After that I roughed out the bow according to the article. At the time I was into trying bow making. I ended up giving the roughed out blank to another woodworker. He finished it up but we lost contact so I never found out if that bow was very durable.

Do you guys think I could get one of those take down sleeves from 3 rivers and go with a take down model?

check out how big jim makes his take aparts.
he has a how to on his site!
thats my next two piece! if i ever get into my bow shop again!!   :D