Main Discussion Area > Bows

Hop Hornbeam

<< < (2/3) > >>

Pat B:
American Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginana  is a very good bow wood. American hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana isn't as good. I've only built a couple of bows or each over the years and hophornbeam would be my choice between the two.

Pappy:
HHB is my favorite white wood, it makes a fine bow when you can find a clean , not spiraled  piece.  :)
 Pappy

ajooter:
I have tons of it on my property.  Like Pappy said it can be pretty gnarly but I have plenty that is straight enough.  On my property it's in the understood and a 6 inch diameter tree is quite old for the size.  I will make it a point to count the rings on the next one I cut.  Being that it's thin ringed it is challenging to work with but will make a fine bow!!

Pappy:
Yep it is slow growing for sure and tight rings, I try and cut it in the late spring or summer and just strip the bark for the back, so don't chase the rings most times.  :)
 Pappy

Pinewood Archer:

--- Quote from: Pat B on February 10, 2025, 01:54:44 am ---American Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginana  is a very good bow wood. American hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana isn't as good. I've only built a couple of bows or each over the years and hophornbeam would be my choice between the two.

--- End quote ---


That works out then because I was thinking Hophornbeam over regular Hornbeam, I used to have a piece of Hophornbeam that I had nicknamed iron wood before I knew both what it was and that it was commonly referred to as iron wood. Stuff barely dented when I wailed the 200 lb anvil we used for smithing.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page