locust wood

trad.-ed · February 05, 2010, 09:10:00 PM

Has anyone used locust for building a bow? I'm removing a giant locust on my property and am thinking about trying to make a bow with it to remember it by. This tree is gigantic and probably well over 150 yrs. If anyone has any insight as to the strength of the wood or if its a good wood to work with please let me know, if not the majority will turn into fenceposts and firewood!

Pat B · February 05, 2010, 11:08:00 PM

Locust can make a very good bow. Some of my first selfbows were made from $5 locust fence posts. Before you decide to make a bow from this tree you better cut it and split it to be sure it doesn't twist or doesn't have a rotten center and will be suitable for bow making.

trad.-ed · February 06, 2010, 09:24:00 PM

Thank you for your response, It seems as though this treen has been cut before. The main trunk is older then I originally thought more of about 200 yrs and then splits into 4 very large branches. The branches are very healthy but I'll have to ensure like you said about the twists.

Pat B · February 06, 2010, 11:46:00 PM

Healthy looking outside doesn't always mean healthy inside. Large trees have a tendency to have cracks or hollow centers and if it does it may have rot in it too. If big enough you may get good wood just under the sapwood. Only way to tell is cut and split.

trad.-ed · February 07, 2010, 11:55:00 PM

Took the first of four limbs off today, no rot and looks pretty good. Seems to have a nice yellow to it will have to save some to try and make some staves out of. Is there anything I should do to the ends while I'm letting it dry? There were some limbs lying on the ground from last years ice storm with sprouts. I truly wouldn't want it to start sprouting as I'm trying to dry it!

57HOP · February 16, 2010, 10:13:00 PM

I have had a number of failed self bowattempts w/ Black Locust. Beautiful staves, but every one ended w/ compression checking.
The stuff was a PITA!
Osage seemed so easy, by comparison, that I stopped trying to use the locust

Pat B · February 16, 2010, 10:37:00 PM

Split it and seal the ends with carpenters glue, wax or shellac. The stuff on the ground might be OK too. Locust heartwood is rot resistant.

pappy · February 17, 2010, 07:49:00 AM

Is it Black or Honey Locust.
Pappy

Roy Steele · February 19, 2010, 11:35:00 PM

My first 2 bows were also from black locust fence post from a farmer I hunted on.Mine were both sinewed.Not a great way to start out.I still have both.

Maxximusgrind · February 20, 2010, 01:10:00 AM

Wasnt black locust what the cherkee used before they were moved to osage country?I think so but am not sure??

George Tsoukalas · February 20, 2010, 08:37:00 AM

Yes, I've made some BL bows. BL is very strong in tension and medium in compression. I recommend 1.75 in. wide and 66 in long ntn for a 26 in draw. Some like to go narrower (1 3/8 in) and longer (68 ntn). I never tried that. BL was a favored bow wood among the local tribes here in New England. It is not as sensitive to moisture changes as hickory. Keep in mind that BL functions best with a heartwood back assuming there is enough heartwood for a bow. I've had some success making BL sapling bows but you take your chances which are improved the closer you go to the heartwood. In other words, sapwood just outside the heartwood is stronger than sapwood just under the bark. Have fun. Remember that sapwood becomes heartwood as the tree ages. Jawge

frank bullitt · February 20, 2010, 03:05:00 PM

Yeah Ed, I understand what you mean, I have a large walnut in the north yard. When she finally comes down, I'll being saving some of the wood for bow projects, and other!

Black locust or Honey locust can be used for bows. And even if not for a self or backed bow, you could have sawed for laminations. That is if the wood is sound. You could even save, good short pieces for handles, tips, etc. It's all Good!

Hope you get some good stuff from her!

Good shootin,
Steve

rightminded · February 23, 2010, 06:11:00 PM

If its ok i have an associated question? What diameter, without cutting the tree down, would i look at in considering a black locust?

Roy from Pa · February 23, 2010, 06:36:00 PM

How do you tell the difference between Black Locust and Honey Locust? And is one better than the other? I know, it's a dumb rookie question:)

George Tsoukalas · February 23, 2010, 06:54:00 PM

rightminded, a 6 in tree usually gives enough heartwood for a bow. Roy, BL has white flowers in the spring and no thorns on the trunk. HL has pink flowers in spring and knots on the trunk. Both have knots on the branches. Jawge

rightminded · February 24, 2010, 10:01:00 AM

Jawge, thanks, that gives me a place to start.

Pat B · February 24, 2010, 11:51:00 AM

Roy, Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia)has thorns only on it's smaller branches and limbs. Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)has large, 3 part thorns(sometimes more parts) all along it's trunk. The species name, triacanthos, means "three thorns".
Both black locust and honey locust have seed pods but the black locusts seed pods are about 4" long and the honey locust has pods about 8" or longer. Deer love to eat honey locust pods.