Author Topic: First time trying elm  (Read 259 times)

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Offline Muskyman

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First time trying elm
« on: May 05, 2025, 06:08:17 pm »
Long bow is done, a first try with that type of bow so I figured I’d try another first.
Have a few elm staves that are a couple years old. This one might be a challenge. One limb is reflexed the other deflexed. Big hump in the handle area where I guess there was a knot. Got it shaped and am trying to bend reflex into the deflexed limb.  Still clamped up till tomorrow then I’ll see what I need to do after that. Probably going to have to do some more bending on it..
It was just bending a little when I was trying to floor tiller it. I’ll try and put a few pictures up over the next few days and maybe get some probably needed advice..

Online Mad Max

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Re: First time trying elm
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2025, 10:42:08 pm »
Watching     :)
I would rather fail trying to do something above my means, Than to succeed at something beneath my means.

Offline Muskyman

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Re: First time trying elm
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2025, 12:33:03 pm »
I got the initial reflex out of it and am trying to match the natural reflex in the opposite limb. Heated again and back on the form. Also had a little twist in it and hopefully that will go away too. I’m not holding out a lot of hope for this stave but you never know.

Last picture is the handle but doesn’t show it very well. 
Wish I had taken some before pics of the s shape it had.

Online Mad Max

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Re: First time trying elm
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2025, 06:06:53 pm »
What kind of Elm ?
« Last Edit: Today at 05:03:24 pm by Mad Max »
I would rather fail trying to do something above my means, Than to succeed at something beneath my means.

Offline Muskyman

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Re: First time trying elm
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2025, 08:03:27 pm »
Not 100% sure to be honest. I think it’s what we call slippery elm around here. It was growing along the edge of my yard right where my woods start.
I got some reflex heated into the limb and I think I might have to get a little twist out of it before moving on. Might have a bit more heat corrections to make but we’ll see