Black walnut riser

[rogers]

I have read that walnut can be brittle and break with no warning, but i believe it was mentioned of doing this in the limb section.  I am wanting to know if this wood is strong enough to build a solid walnut riser for a T/D recurve, say 60# and less.

[Apex Predator]

I wouldn't attempt it without bunches of laminating with glass or phenolic.

[BigJim]

Any solid riser is subject to problems. You can't always tell what's going on inside. You can rip it and glue it back and increase the strength considerably. Add a couple pieces of glass in the middle and one covering the back(finger) side and don't wory.

bigjim

[Scott F]

Here is a walnut riser that I made for a t/d longbow...with some maple and ipe laminations.

[sulphur]

i agree.  i never make a solid riser.  a few laminations is easy to do and adds lots of strenth.  if you want the solid look then use an i beam of ipe or another dark wood dense wood.

[Jim Curlee]

Most of the glass laminated bows I have made, have walnut lams.
I think it makes a great bow limb, stable, and light.
I've used it in riser's, but I think it is too light for a handle.
I like some weight, I like exotics for handles.

Jim

[Jason Scott]

ScottF, That's very nice. It looks like your limb bolts go through the multi layers of Ipe and maple and walnut and glue. Much stronger than just walnut alone. With the grain offset and glue and all. I'm sure that is why you built it that way besides on the looks alone which are great.

[RGinWY]

The only riser I've had break was made out of a peice of burl walnut.So I learnd the hard way what these guys are saying ...laminate. A peice of actionwood,dymonwood,or phenalic running through the grip makes me sleep better at night. Love walnut in limbs light means quick.

[Crooked Stic]

Laminate everything for a TD riser. Fix where it will be in front of the deep part of the grip and you should be fine.

[Dmaxshawn]

I made a solid black walnut bow for myself to learn because it was inexpensive wood and it cracked.  The bow was a little heavy 62 lbs and 60".   I shot it about 3 months100  times a day before it gave way.  Take the extra day to lam it up with something stronger it does make a beautiful riser.

Shawn

[rogers]

Thanks guys, got 53 feet of walnut layin around so hopefully i can do it justice.  I definately will be lamin up to riser for strength, dont need to waste it or lose the side of my face.