Gnarly American hornbeam

[jameswoodmot]

To avoid fretting, go wider and thinner.

sure. I can make a bow from any wood. but not the bow I want in this case 

Hey Simk, European hornbeam is a wood I’ve been keeping my eyes out for. What kind of size bows were you making when it was fretting?

[simk]

[Hey Simk, European hornbeam is a wood I’ve been keeping my eyes out for. What kind of size bows were you making when it was fretting?
[/quote]


Hey James, me thinks the ones  that fret were about 35mm wide and around 67"ntn - that worked well up to 40#. I'd say if you go 45mm you can get the 50#. Its good wood.

I was wondering if I could use it as a backing - I read somewehere the english bowmakers used it for backing in the victorian age. that might work, it feels like interlocking grain. however, I have made so many experiments, maybe leave that one to someone else