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Red Cedar

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1/2primitive:
I've got two splits from a small diameter Cedar tree and I was wondering, could anyone tell me how well Cedar sapwood bends? I'm thinking about making a longbow from one of them, but I would also like to know how well Cedar would work for this type of bow, help?
   Sean

tom sawyer:
Eastern red cedar is a type of juniper, it is a halfway decent bow wood.  Sometimes it can be pretty light, but people have made backed bows and selfbows out of good specimens.  The problem I tend it have, is finding a stave that isn't full of knots.  I did get a short log cut for lumber for spliced backed bows, haven't broken into that stock yet though.  Let us know how you do.

1/2primitive:
All right, I think I'll make the bow about 66" long bending in the handle, for a 27-28" draw. btw, how much weight would I be able to get from it? I'm hoping for about 55-60lb. It'll be my war bow! ;) (because I usually shoot 40-45lb.)
      Sean

M-P:
Hi,  The only bow wood Ive got easy access to is the red cedar growing on my family's ranch in Nebraska.   I do not remove any sap wood.  Luckily I can usually find some straight knot free staves.  I think the wood seasons eaily and is a joy to work with.  The bark peels easily and the wood splits straight!  Once seasoned the wood smells like a cedar chest (of course ) and works well with hand tools.  I don't claim to be a great bowyer, but most of my cedar bows have turned out well. Just make the bow wider than you would with yew or osage.  A light backing of sinew seems to work well too, to maintain reflex or recurves and add peace of mind.   Ron

A man should make his own arrows.  Omaha Proverb

Stickhead:
66" should be long enough to get your target weight, if the stave is reasonably knot-free.  If you can leave a thin layer of sapwood over heartwood, it oughta make for a nice selfbow, kinda like yew. 

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