Quarter sawn Sycamore.

[1oldbowguy]

I have been told that Sycamore will make a good bow.  Has anyone used it before?  I have found some nice air dried strong grain in White Oak, Red Oak and Sycamore.  Could use some input about this.
Thanks.
 

[Eric Krewson]

Copied from a wood description website. With a SG of 0.49 it would be in the questionable bow wood catagory. You need 0.50 and above.

Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

A medium hard wood with a specific gravity of 0.49

Sycamore can grow larger than any other native hardwood. Its wood is moderately heavy and hard but machines and works well. When Quartersawn (cut radially) it produces a striking ray fleck pattern that is reminiscent of snakeskin

Used by itself or as accents to other projects quartersawn sycamore will catch some eyes.

[LittleBen]

X2 what Eric said, although obviously he is talking about wood bows, and a fiberglass bow could definately make use of sycamore as laminations etc.

[kennym]

I had a board of sycamore , think I sold the lams off the good side of it. It was really cool looking.

[mater]

Ive made two, they are good bows. It is said to be a cousin to maple and acts like it. And quartersawn it has alot of character.

[1oldbowguy]

Thanks to all for your help and it sure has lots of character mater