Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: fred45 on February 08, 2009, 06:48:16 pm

Title: hey new guy here
Post by: fred45 on February 08, 2009, 06:48:16 pm

Hi, sorry to jump in with some questions right off the bat.
anyone in SW MO?
I have a real large red oak that was hit by lightning it did not burn but the bark is gone and the bottom is rotted, will this affect the wood for bows, the tree guy said it is unsellable.

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: DanaM on February 08, 2009, 07:24:43 pm

Welcome to PA fred, the tree could make a bow but it could also kill you when cutting it down. Lightning struck
trees can be full of cracks that will give way without warning. Go to Lowes and but a red oak board for $5 :)

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: Hillbilly on February 08, 2009, 07:29:36 pm

How long has it been dead? If it's been awhile, probably not any good. I've cut several lightning-struck trees, and like Dana said, they are often fractured up and can do wierd stuff when you stick a saw in them. Would be some good mojo, though if the wood is still sound.

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: fred45 on February 09, 2009, 01:09:00 pm

it is not dead yet, it is only mostly dead!

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: gutpile on February 09, 2009, 01:31:14 pm

the Indians say wood touched by the creator makes the best bows..I believe them..gut

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 09, 2009, 06:21:08 pm

Only mostly dead?  I am sure Max the Miracle Worker could help you with it.  Watching out for six fingered bowyers. 

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: Westbound on February 09, 2009, 07:06:36 pm

Quote from: JW_Halverson on February 09, 2009, 06:21:08 pm

Only mostly dead?  I am sure Max the Miracle Worker could help you with it.  Watching out for six fingered bowyers. 

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: hawkbow on February 09, 2009, 08:08:13 pm

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;Dswords at high noon...or was it tomohawks >:D

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: dragonman on February 10, 2009, 06:08:11 pm

I agree with gutpile there will be some special magic in that wood, but I woulod still check that the wood looked sound

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: Sparrow on February 11, 2009, 01:56:21 am

I'm thinking that if you got 6 foot of sound wood thats fairly straight,you probably got some bow wood. Good luck !   Frank

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: Pappy on February 11, 2009, 06:18:24 am

Might be some good medicine but I am with Dana,I have cut some lighting struck and please be extra careful,it will hurt you and I mean quick.If it has tension on it and you hit it with a saw
it will split like you hit it with a wedge,sometimes from top to bottom.Folks around here that cut timber for a living won't touch a lighting struck tree,to unpredictable.No after saying all of that if you are like me you will probably cut it anyway  ;) :) so once I got it on the ground I would make a quickie ,mini bow and give it a bend test if it holds good then go for it. If it hasn't dry roted it should be fine. Good luck with it. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: hey new guy here
Post by: DanaM on February 11, 2009, 07:17:34 am

Magic in a lightning struck tree eh, might as well soak it in salt water and have a buffalo pee on it too :o >:D ;) :D

How much tree cutting experience do you have fred? If the answer is little to none I wouldn't attempt it as I can't
 see that getting killed is worth some wood.