More red stuff... ERC

[coaster500]

Ok this is my second piece of ERC...  the first got to bow stage but due to multiple knots it is laying against the wall after about 50 or 60 arrows "retired"...  it hasn't blown but I think it's toast and will at anytime. I'll call it my practice stave  

My second piece is near perfect in that there is not a single knot for the entire 72"s and there are no areas where the heartwood and the sapwood blend (at least on the sapwood back). It also has ½" or so of natural reflex. There is however a bit of twist and the sapwood is very thin maybe 1/8 to 1/4 through out the stave. The stave is also very narrow so fades would be almost non existent. So that leaves me with ELB designs or ?

What ever direction it will be backed!!!!

I've never built what I would call a real ELB so I need some help with dimensions...  OR maybe someone here has another idea for this red stuff  

72"s


Some twist


Narrow mid limb

[coaster500]

Thin sapwood


½" of natural reflex and no knots with very straight grain

[beetlebailey1977]

I would say it looks good.  The thin sapwood should be a good thing so you will have more heartwood.  I would say go for an ELB unbacked on this.

[DVSHUNTER]

Rawhide back it and make it wide. I'm sure it will work for you. Rawhide would look the best unless you got whole of some thick snakes.

[okie64]

If you round the belly then it would probably survive unbacked but it would take more set than a flat belly. If you leave the belly flat then I would suggest backing it with rawhide for safety.

[coaster500]

Thanks guys...  it's pretty narrow so i'll use the whole width at the handle...  maybe not round but rounded profile and the full 72"s...  I've got some python that's as thick as rawhide for the back DV...  we will see?

[okie64]

Sounds like a plan to me. Thats an exceptional piece of erc. That stuff grows like weeds around here but its not everyday that you see a piece that clean. Ive got a piece about like yours thats been sittin in my shop for a couple of years, anxious to see how yours turns out. Good Luck.

[Bel007]

Will keep watching this one Kip...  

[coaster500]

Hey Brian whats up    

Okie my last stave was full of knots, twist and a ton of deflex but it gave me a feel for the wood so I'm hopeful ???

I worked this ERC stave to here today...  man I hope I can make a shooter out of this one.

From here
 

to here
 

[mwosborn]

Looks good already - what weight you looking for Kip?

[KellyG]

Well that is going to be some bow. I hope it holds for you. It will be a very sweet looking  bow when done.

[coaster500]

Mitch somewhere around 50/55...  might move to the hi side with a 72" bow? Got someone in mind for this one but he don't know it yet  

[coaster500]

It ain't a bow yet Kelly...  keep your fingers crossed  

[Osagetree]

Sure is purdy wood. Bet it has a greay scent!

[mwosborn]

Looking forward to seeing you shooting it.  I am betting someone is going to be happy.

[coaster500]

These are from an antelope I took in farson Wyoming in the 80's...  I'm going to try ? to make some horn knocks?? They look a bit cracked so we will see...