Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Whitebeam on July 29, 2012, 06:58:19 pm

Title: Working Field Maple (Acer campestre)?
Post by: Whitebeam on July 29, 2012, 06:58:19 pm

I've just come by a nice piece of Field Maple (Acer campestre), dead straight, about 8ft long, 4-5" diameter and nicely smooth skinned (not got all of the usual lumps and bumps I associate with this wood).

Has anyone got any experience of making bows with this wood? How does it work and what style of bow suits this wood?

Peter

Title: Re: Working Field Maple (Acer campestre)?
Post by: DarkSoul on July 29, 2012, 07:03:07 pm

When I was making bows on holidays in Bulgaria, we actually cut one field maple tree down. I don't remember who took the staves, but they looked really good. I observed the wood, which was still green when we worked it, to get a feel for it. It smelled pretty nice too, by the way. It looked like a decent bowwood, if maybe a bit soft. I brought home a few small, figured pieces for tip overlays. I think you can compare it to soft maple. Still not a very accurate description, but it´s all I can give you.