Main Discussion Area > Bows

ERC stave

(1/3) > >>

JW_Halverson:
So I got a lovely Eastern Red Cedar stave from Ty Branton. It was just cut a few months ago, so it will nap quietly in the corner for a few years first. It has a metric crapload of sapwood and I am considering using a bandsaw to shear it off.

My question is whether a sapwood only ERC bow would be worth pursuing?

Pappy:
Sap wood makes a great bow, in fact the only true self bows from ERC I have made was sap wood, heart wood will make a bow but be sure and wear a helmet when tillering, I blame my short draw problem on starting on with ERC heart wood.  ;) :) :) :)
 Pappy

Hamish:
JW, Those rings look quite thick, easy enough to follow a growth ring. You could take off enough sapwood, leaving 1 or2 sapwood rings for a backing.

JW_Halverson:

--- Quote from: Hamish on May 19, 2025, 07:14:42 pm ---JW, Those rings look quite thick, easy enough to follow a growth ring. You could take off enough sapwood, leaving 1 or2 sapwood rings for a backing.

--- End quote ---

I've thought of that, too. Maybe a thin doe rawhide backing over the sapwood for a measure of insurance?

Pat B:
I got to shoot an ERC all sapwood ELB a few years ago and I was impressed. It took a small amount of set after many shots and if I remember correctly it was 45#@28".
 If you have enough heartwood I think sinew backing is the way to go. I wouldn't use heartwood only for a selfbow.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page