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Woods superior to osage

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JW_Halverson:

--- Quote from: Badger on June 04, 2025, 01:43:49 pm --- When all things are considered, I still consider Osage #1, but there are several species of trees I would take over Osage when I can find a rare, good stave.

#1  Ocean spray. I believe this is about the fastest wood I have ever worked. But hard to dry without splitting, hard to find a decent size stave.
#2 Purple plum, this is my all-time favorite for its flexibility, stiffness and workability.
#3  Chinese elm, like hickory it tends  to be somewhat hygroscopic but if kept around 6% it is super fast and virtually unbreakable even with massive violations. No need to chase a ring or even worry about cutting across the grain. The city cuts them down all the time but the trunks weigh over 1,000# and it is virtually impossible to split so must be sawed.

--- End quote ---

Just to nail down the parameters, exactly what features are you considering when you are ranking woods? Durability, speed, resistance to set, ????

Pappy:
Day in day out Osage will be very hard to beat but their are lots of other wood out there that make fine bows, HHB probably for me is right up there if you can find a nice piece. I have a sinew backed Juniper bow I got in the bow trade here years ago, it is a sweet shooter and very smooth and fast just not sure how it would do unbacked so if we are looking for wood that will usually work well un back then like I said Osage is hard to beat. :) :)
 Pappy

Bob Barnes:
Great thread Steve.   :OK  I was at a shoot this past weekend where we were working on bows.  I watched Terry Hughes make a sapling HHB bow using just a big knife and a pencil.  He had it strung and shooting in a couple of hours.  The bow sprung right back to it's original profile immediately after unstringing it.  I was very impressed at his ability as well as quality of the HHB.

PaulN/KS:
What's "best" is what's commonly available in your location. 
Hickory,hedge, hornbeam, yew, juniper,elm and others have made bows for many.
Use what you got and make the best bow you can.

Hey Bob, you coming to Mojam this year? I'll bring the cord protector...  ;D

Bob Barnes:
Paul...I will save you a spot.  I had planned to wait until the next anniversary, but I actually found a small travel trailer and I plan to be there.  It is always hard to miss our family reunion.  :)

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