Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: hunterman on November 20, 2007, 11:19:00 pm
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took a visit to my grandparents place today. first thing i did was go out in the back and look through the numerous logs on the forest floor. ;D
found one that i thought might work for a bow. looks kinda like a juniper. my grandma said the leaves looked like they were cedar and the only cedar they had around was insence cedar. no idea what that is, and i was wondering if anyone knows if it's a good bow wood.
i don't have a camera with me so here's some info.
they live in the sierra nevadas in northern california and the color of the wood is sort of a light orange color with white sapwood that peels easily. Bark is sort of a brownish red and the leaves look like flat scaly pine needles.
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I know the exact type of tree you're talking about, and it will make a bow, but it's extremely weak in tension. Usually you'll have to back it, but even then, it's only practical for bows below about #45 I'd say. Where are they in Northern California? There are some really good bow woods around here.
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Hi, I've heard anecdotal reports of bows made from incense cedar and western red cedar. Every story has ended "but the bow blew up after a few shots."
Ron
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Hunter, I found a board of incence cedar at my wood suppliers a few years ago, very straight and clear with no knots. I backed it with maple if I remember right and it made a very sweet bow, as far as I know it is still shooting it was simple pyramid around 50#. It looked to me like erc but slightly more orange rather than red. Steve
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they live up by angles camp and arnold. pretty small towns. if there's any better wood around there, let me know.
can i back it with oak or silk?? grandparents won't let me cut down their maple trees :'(