Wych Elm reflex deflex

[jameswoodmot]

So this kinda started as a plan to make a r/d similar to the Ash one I did a couple of months ago to get an idea of the difference in what the wood can do. The reality is that the staves are so different that I can’t make a comparison. The Ash was about 2’ in diameter and the Elm and 2 1/2” so just completely different cross sections.
I’ve made this one the same length at 61” (1” longer than the ash) as that was the length of the stave. This piece is what I call a “top”, the elm saplings round here grow to about 5-6’ then have the first major side branch and then you get a skinnier, wobblier piece above that. For me anything above the first section is bonus wood.

Fire hardened it twice, the first time I didn’t have enough charcoal on the fire and just didn’t get the depth of hardening so I took some more wood off and gave it a second cook.

Plan to start tillering this evening. 40lb would be amazing but I’ll probably end up around 35.

It’s got a bit of a wobble on the top limb which is something I haven’t dealt with yet. I’m going to glue on a ride once I’m sure I’m not going to heat it any more and it’s going to have a modern style arrow shelf so hopefully I can actually hit stuff.

[Pappy]

Looks like a good start, I love the RD style, very smooth to draw and shoot. Looking forward to seeing more.
 Pappy

[bassman211]

95% of the time when I build elm bows I get good results, and mine is just American elm. Never belly frets for me. Takes heat well. Holds its shape, draws smooth, and is a fairly fast wood. Case in point....I just reduced a 40lb. reflex , deflex  elm bow to 30 lbs., and used Arvin's specs. The bow at 30 lbs. with a 25 inch draw shoots a 355 gr arrow at 145fps. My best so far after having reduced a half dozen other bows with different woods using the same specs. I have no doubt when you are done with yours you will be well pleased.