Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
english elm compared to american elm
snedeker:
So in other words, English elm is good bow wood.
Yeah, Ulmus rubra is called, alternatively red elm, slippery elm, adn even gray elm.
Ulmus americana is american elm or sometimes called white elm
If ya get lumber I assume you'll get some heartwood. have you found that to work pretty well backed Marc?
Dave
Rod:
I made a bow of red elm some years ago and prefer it to ash.
Rod.
Marc St Louis:
I've seen some descriptions, along with working properties of Red Elm that would lump it in with Slippery Elm yet others that would group it in with the harder Elms, such as Rock Elm. I don't bother trying to identify Elm up here anymore as there are to many sub species. To me it's either hard or soft
half eye:
hey fellas,
Here in Northern Michigan we have two types of Elm available. Red Elm (our loggers ans sawyers call it slippery elm) and Grey elm. I have made bows from both (allbeit not warbows) and my experiences were good with both...however:
These are the differences I noticed. Red Elm is more dense (heavier) and the grain (wood fibers) are more inter-tangled than the Grey. I have made 48" D bows that drew 28" all day and this unbacked selfbow worked well without any fretts or other noticable faults. The Grey elm is not all bad either, because in the case of using it as a backer you could choose this wood when over-powering the bow wood is an issue. Grey is less dense and less entangled....but still tough.
The red elm's fibers are really strongly entangled and you might find it nearly impossible to cause a clean break in it. The only fault with it (in my opinion) is that it will "fuzz" while you work and finish it....other than that as the Mod's said it is good bow wood.
Warbows are not my thing, and I'm pretty much ignorant of your bowery needs....but Red Elm is really tough, especially in tension and I recommend it highly.
for what it's worth
half eye
Rod:
My red elm was got from a selected board and restored to stave condition by chasing a back ring.
I thought it easier the chase a ring in than osage and to compare favourably in performance and durability.
Rod.
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