Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: dave young on August 03, 2013, 09:28:16 am

Title: Ash lumber for bow
Post by: dave young on August 03, 2013, 09:28:16 am

I have only made a half dozen bows, all using hickory lumber. I saw an add for good clean ash lumber the other day, a wanted to know how it is for a bow and compared to hickory?

Title: Re: Ash lumber for bow
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on August 03, 2013, 10:41:57 am

never tried hickory... but i know its stiff and good in tension...
Ash- i have tried it, and am working some now. go for it.... but i though Ash was weaker in tension compared to hickory...

Title: Re: Ash lumber for bow
Post by: Matt Heppe on August 03, 2013, 11:39:58 am

I found ash very easy to work with. I made this English longbow out of 3x3 lumber. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34764.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34764.0.html) It had nice rings and I was able to chase a ring like a stave. I trapped it to take some of the pressure off the back.

I'm working on another 3x3 post and hoping to hit closer to 60#.

Title: Re: Ash lumber for bow
Post by: koan on August 04, 2013, 02:46:26 pm

I love ash and have had very good luck with it in board bows & staves. My fastest bow that i made was an ash edge grain board bow(Ferrets plans). The flatter the belly the better. IMO... Brian