Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Electricfrontporch on October 05, 2007, 11:31:46 am
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Hey. Just recently found the magazine and the message boards. They are great and thanks to those who make them possible.
Being from florida I have little access to native hardwoods.
I have finally had some success with board bows and would like to move on to staves. I have access to some cypress. I have heard of flatbows being made with cypress. Just curious if anyone has any experience or insight into which styles might be successful.
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Its specific gravity of .46 suggests that it is not a terrific bow wood.
Dave
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I got a really nice guava stave in trade from a friend in Florida. ;D
Look at the woods that grow there ,instead of looking for the trees that the rest of us use.
Ralph
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Which species do you have in mind? I've made light bows out of cypress that grows in the Mediterranean, Cupressus sempervirens. Those were successes, if by success you mean a shootable bow. When I attempted a 60" flatbow it snapped at 23" at about 50 pounds. I'd dare to say that tiller was well done so it should be about the wood being inadequate. But then it could be one of those self defense pyschological mechanisms, lol. Anyway, I noticed that these woods, though of the same species, were somehow different in texture. Also, they were cut in different seasons. I don't know if it has effect, but shootables were made from would cut in late summer/early fall, while the failed one was cut in early spring. The wood cut in spring tended to kinda shatter under a draw knife, it didn't leave the smooth surface but rings tore apart leaving small pits. Also when worked with a hatchet the rings sometimes completely separated, so the piece I cut away had natural bump down its entire length, and part of the stave was left with a groove. That was on belly side, the back was clear because you can strip the bark off and it will never check. I never saw that when I worked autumn cut and hardwoods like ash. So, I'll just fell another tree sometime before winter and when seasoned try to make at least a mid weight bow.
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You might have Eastern Red Cedar in your area. That works nice, if you can find a clean piece.
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Can use erc like said above and guava, yellow grows here ifn you can find it also like said above. Cypress will work fer bows , make sure you get bald cypress not pond cypress. Cypress bows will last fer one year and then chrystal on belly. Make them about 66-68 " long , bendy handle d-bows 1 1/4 ' taperin' ta 1 ' er so tips. I have made many bows like this up to 55-58 lbs. Bald cypress is Taxodium discticbum. Pond cypress is Taxodium ascendens, you dont want this its very soft and has no tension in wood ta speak of. Good luck.......................................bob
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Thanks for the info. From the sound of things i will have to do some homework as far as species and such. Thanks for the info on ercedar. would an elb or flatbow style be more appropriate?
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n beachy,does that handle mean you are in the Miami area?If so bob has the hook on all the wood in your area.Up here we have cedar,hickory,mulberry,guava,for just a few of the local woods.there are quite a few more that I haven't tried,persimmon,plum,citrus,camphor,oak, and numerous exotics.
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I guess I should have checked your profile and I wouldn't have insulted you about Miami.You live about an hour north of me.I hunt up around Astor.
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Just go out in the woods and look for hickory nuts and then you have your wood. Shouldnt be too hard. Sure are alot of Floridians joining lately.
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hey,
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I thought the same thing,enough for our own get together.
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:)i have found that a good plain sawn cypress board will make a great flat bow at 68".i have made several and all came out well.but-onlt good for back yard shooter or youth bow 35# and below.i make 15 and 20# for my grand child in 58 to 62 in.and 30 to 35 # for my dad,who is 78 years old-easy wood to work with -few if any knots and makesa great shooter. taylormade
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I have some 4' logs I'm going to split and see how it is for arrows.
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You must be anative as well mullet. Only we would understand the miami bit. I always thought most of the wood here was not bow friendly it appears i was mistaken. let us know how the arrows turn out and thanks for all the info. As soon as i get home from the road i will have to do some tree huntin. and yes a gathering of florida stickbows would be great
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Yep, born and raised here.Not many of them around anymore.For all you Florida guy's,there is a knap-in and primitive arts get together in Dade City in Feb.I was going to be there with some bow building stuff.I'll post the info down below.
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keep us posted on the knap in eddie
will definately attend if my schedule allows
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I posted the information in the events section.