Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: KShip85 on December 11, 2012, 01:12:01 pm

Title: Maple character?
Post by: KShip85 on December 11, 2012, 01:12:01 pm

I went out yesterday looking to cut some maple for backing strips and ended up finding this.  I was surprised it split so straight to be honest and now can't decide if it's soft or hard maple, but I'm pretty sure it had the hard maple leaves.  Length right now is a little over 77" and width around 2 3/4".  Anyone ever tried a maple bow with this much character?  Think there's a bow in here somewhere?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/kshipley85/A0187F34-859E-470D-BCAB-6AB755738927-480-0000010C8F248FC9.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/kshipley85/8261E3AF-21D0-4871-9405-FA041C61E947-480-0000010C8A3DF925.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/kshipley85/E3ABDD0C-E577-4990-ABA6-777338719CFD-480-0000010C83EA42CF.jpg)

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: Carson (CMB) on December 11, 2012, 01:43:37 pm

I have seen vine maple bows with tons of character.  It is supposed to be similar to hard/rock maple.

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: blackhawk on December 11, 2012, 01:53:14 pm

I don't see any backing strips in that :o...and I would've split it 90 degrees the other way to get a nice natural R/D bow,and a gull wing bow. Its a lil hard and fuzzy in your pics to tell what maple you have,but it is maple,but hard maple(sugar maple) is best.

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: Stoker on December 11, 2012, 02:55:27 pm

Cutter up splice billets. There's a bow of the month in there. :)
Thanks Leroy

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: KShip85 on December 11, 2012, 05:57:44 pm

Haha, yeah Blackhawk, this was not a backing strip log.  I thought about splitting it the other way but didn't think I had enough length to get the gullwing and R/D.  Not sure how long maple needs to be but I believe there's only like 24-28" before that first bend.  After looking at the top and checking the leaves today I'm 99% sure it's sugar maple.

Leroy, I like the billet idea, but not sure I have the skill for it.  Maybe I just need to send these off to a more skillful and capeable bowyer :).

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: bow101 on December 11, 2012, 06:02:43 pm

"Anyone ever tried a maple bow with this much character?"

I have tried Maple branches for other projects in the past, can't remember exactly but they will break around the knots, unlike other character woods. good luck..

Title: Re: Maple character?
Post by: Stoker on December 12, 2012, 02:19:33 pm

Quote from: KShip85 on December 11, 2012, 05:57:44 pm

Leroy, I like the billet idea, but not sure I have the skill for it.  Maybe I just need to send these off to a more skillful and capeable bowyer :).

Never let fear or common sense stand in your way. Only one way to learn. Gotta start somewhere.
Geez starting to sound like my Dad  >:D
Thanks Leroy