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Tulip Poplar Self Bow

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DPGladius:
I have seen several post talking about Poplar not being a good wood for bow making. That sounded like a challenge! Here is my 72 inch poplar self bow. I did add a black walnut handle and riser to simplify the build process. 2.5 inches at the fades, 1 inch tips, 45 pounds at a 29 inch draw. It shoots really well and has taken about a 1 inch set over the last few months but seems to have stabilized.

superdav95:
Congrats.  Well done.  I would have thought it would have been too soft.  Did you heat treat it or just a raw build. 

willie:



Welcome.


--- Quote ---The tulip poplar is also known as the tulip tree or the yellow poplar. It is a hardwood tree that's native to most of the eastern United States. It is not a true poplar tree but instead is a member of the magnolia tree family.
--- End quote ---

aspen and cottonwood are "true" poplars and may be what you have heard are too soft.  Keep us posted how it shoots!

72" seems plenty long. As long as there is sufficient width for the draw weight you are shooting for, and enough of the limb is working, then you should be able to make a nice bow out of Liriodendron tulipifera

more pics!

DPGladius:
SuperDav and Willie, Thank you for the comments. I was looking at several of my self bows including the Tulip Poplar one and can't believe how wide it looks. I guess that variety is the spice of life.

superdav95:
Those look like fine bows.  Yes the width would help as stated. 

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