Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Scrub_buck on June 24, 2010, 12:27:24 am

Title: sapling help
Post by: Scrub_buck on June 24, 2010, 12:27:24 am
I ran into a nice and stright wrist / forearm sized sapling of red mulberry today.  I think Mulberry wants to be a heartwood bow (if I remember right), but one that size might not have any or enough heartwood in it.

It will not be any trouble to get, I just don't want to waste my time if there is too little heartwood to make a bow from it.

What say you veterans of the red mulberry brigade???  Cut or not to cut?????

Scrub_buck
Title: Re: sapling help
Post by: Pat B on June 24, 2010, 12:33:58 am
Mulberry sapwood will make a good bow. It will be thicker than a heartwood bow. I would use the wood under the bark as the back.
  Check out Gordon's sapling bow build along in the "How To" section.
Title: Re: sapling help
Post by: gmc on June 24, 2010, 08:01:13 am
Whack that sapling down and make a bow. Don't worry about the heartwood/ sapwood thing. Both will make a bow, even a combination of both on the bow would be nice. I've only made one with Mulberry and it had little to no heartwood but made a fine bow. 

I don't think you'll waste your time. There are so many woods to experience with different ways to use each one, so much to learn. Long as we are learning, its never a waste of time. It would be great to see your results, let us know how it turns out.