Gnarly American hornbeam

[Jim Davis]

I cut a 6" hornbeam tree a year or three ago. Just got around to making a bow out of it. I had made bows of hop hornbeam, but never one from "muscle wood."

This one is 64" ntn, 2" wide at the fades, about 3/8" wide at the tips, straight taper from fades to tips. Draw weight is 42# at 28". Handle is 4" non-bending.

[Jim Davis]

Couple more

[Jim Davis]

Resending this one. Hope it's not distorted like  the first.

[Stickbow Felty]

Nice bow Jim. How easy is that wood to work

[Jim Davis]

I t seems about as hard as hickory, but I sawed it out with a band saw and did l most of the sanding on a belt sander. Hand work was mostly rasping the handle shape.

[Pat B]

Don't think I've ever seen a hornbeam bow before. I was given a stave many years ago but don't remember what happe4ned to it.
 You did a great job with this cool bow, Jim. Tiller looks perfect. 

[superdav95]

Very cool character in this bow.  It’s got some dips and hills to it for sure.  Makes for a challenging bow. Well done.