Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Bill Skinner on June 18, 2009, 04:39:27 pm

Title: Wooden Billets
Post by: Bill Skinner on June 18, 2009, 04:39:27 pm

What are some suitable woods for wooden billets besides dogwood? 

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: Hillbilly on June 18, 2009, 04:56:06 pm

Persimmon, live oak, boxwood all work good. Many hard, heavy woods will work so-so, but most aren't impact resistant enough. I've tried osage and it was beat into splinters quickly.

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: DanaM on June 18, 2009, 07:10:47 pm

Also try Lilac, so far mine is holding up ok :)

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: Bill Skinner on June 20, 2009, 07:24:09 pm

I've tried a couple without much sucess.  I knew osage and red oak didn't work.  Any one tried redbud or red cedar?  Bill

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: DanaM on June 20, 2009, 08:05:23 pm

Quote from: Bill Skinner on June 20, 2009, 07:24:09 pm

I've tried a couple without much sucess.  I knew osage and red oak didn't work.  Any one tried redbud or red cedar?  Bill

Haven't tried em but I can guarantee that the red cedar is way to soft
guessing redbud is also too soft

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: Bill Skinner on June 21, 2009, 11:40:10 pm

The heartwood of redbud will throw sparks froma chainsaw blade when you cut it.  It is such a pain to cut green, when it dries out, it is very brittle, just like persimmon.  Any one used elm?  Bill

Title: Re: Wooden Billets
Post by: jamie on June 22, 2009, 06:19:41 am

witch hazel isnt bad, not as tough as dogwood, but it works