Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: CTBowyer on June 17, 2007, 01:41:38 am
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Hey guys, I need some advice.
I can get cherry staves very easily where I live and I was wondering should I use sapwood only, heartwood, or a sap/heart combo like a yew bow? I know I'll have to back it with rawhide or something (as it says in vol. II of the bible) but I was wondering what part of the wood makes the better bow. Any thoughts?
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Kevin, I have made several cherry bows but never tried the sapwood, I have a feeling it would be good but not talking from experience. I have a couplr cherry trees lined up to take down next time I visit mississippi and plan to give the sapwood a try. Steve
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I think leaving a few growth rings of sap wood would look real nice with the the color contrast.
Other than not not sure if it really matters if your backing it.
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Well, guess I'll have to experiment then. When I get the bows done I'll have to post pics and stats. Now I'm off to the back yard to clear those trees...
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I've built a few cherry bows and used the wood under the bark as the back. The bows came out mostly sapwood with a bit of heartwood in the handle. If you follow Paul Comstock's advise for white wood bows you can make a good bow with it. I didn't use any backing on the bows I built and if the wood is collected and cured properly and the proper design is used, there should be no reason for a backing unless you just wanted some extra insurance.
I have handled black walnut the same way with good results. Pat
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Hi,
I've used cherry and walnut sapwood, and backed them with 1/8" quarter sawn hickory. They take a bit more set than osage, but very shootable bows. Make them 1 1/2" to 2" at the fades, >66", <55#, and you'll be fine. The cherry is nice... it's easy wood to work, and straight grained. Good luck!