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Hello from Manitoba Canada

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Nate:
Hi there. I'm new to this site. Just registered and have been looking around a bit. Pretty inspiring! I haven't made a bow in ten years. ( got married,had kids etc) A friend from Michigan brought my two huge hop beam logs (12 to 13 inches in diameter) I split them in quarters and tested the specific gravity of a piece at.83 That's way heavier than anything I have access to locally. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this wood and might pass on any tricks , tips and advice. I think local names for it are Ironwood or muscle wood.  Thanks   Nate

Pat B:
Welcome to PA, Nate.
Hop Hornbeam is a very good bow wood. Treat it like you would hickory. Be sure the ends are sealed and store in a dry place off the ground.

Nate:
Is there a difference between "Hornbeam" and "Hop hornbeam"? Not sure but I thought I might have heard some one mention them as separate species. I'm totally unfamiliar with these "exotic" (to me) woods.

Pat B:
Hornbeam and Hop Hornbeam are two different trees with different characteristics. Hornbeam has smooth bark with a muscly appearance and Hop Hornbeam has flaky bark and usually straight trunk. Hornbeam will make a bow but it is not as good as Hop Hornbeam.

Pappy:
Welcome Nate. :)
 Pappy

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