Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Don Case on November 24, 2013, 08:01:56 pm
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I did a search and found a few mentions of cascara bows but I don't see many recent posts with people bragging about their new cascara bow. Is it just a mediocre wood? There is a lot of it around here. How is it compared to vine or douglas maple?
Don
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I got a stave from Keenan. Havent used it yet but i picked his brain... Only likes light heat straightening, needs a light backing such as silk or rawhide... He said it is very snappy and light... Prolly gonna be my next project ;)...Brian
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Very light, but snappy for its weight. I'd use it to splice levers and handles m'self.
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I've got one that I'm getting ready to start on. From what I've heard, every bit as good as yew.
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Good ole cascara. I've made a couple. None That I felt like keeping. Backed mine with cherry bark, bc it was unknown to me whether or not i needed to.
I've had staves drying but im not too eager to jump into another one when I've got dry Vinemaple laying around.
Brian has made more than me I'm sure. He'll chime in shortly :)
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Cascara is a great bow wood, but with every second string bow wood you give something up. Cascara because of it's flexiblity, and easy to work belly are at the top of my list as to bow woods I like.It is a easy to work wood with handtools, spokespaves work great....it is a bit like working yew. Here in the northwest, My first pick would be vinemaple (as Bryce as alluded too as well.) next would be pacific dogwood, Cascara , hazlenut, then yew....in that order. Cascara does not need to be backed, BUT I would burnish the back well, backing with silk works good......black silk against the salmon colored Cascara looks good, to my taste.
VMB
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Brian, you dirty white-wood lover you. Yew wood after hazlenut!! Blasphemy. ;)
I have only ever made a kids bow from cascara. The only Fret I have ever had. Seems a bit lacking in compression strength from my limited experience.
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So, harvest in the spring when the bark loosens?
Don
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N o need to wait, but the bark does come off easy in the spring. You musty be very carefull about nicking the back if you remove winter bark.....or it will end up in pieces
Cascara to me is very close Eastern red cedar or yew in workability. I like them both. Decrowned and lumberized with a maple backing works very well.
Here is one I did some time back... http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34108.msg449729.html#msg449729
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The few I have made were good shooters but eventually broke. I think if you could find a big enough piece to avoid a high crown and make the bow wide enough it would be a good wood. Like most woods that have some tendency to chrysal it is also very snappy. Cascara isn't bad about chrysaling but will if you get a bit too much bend.
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Brian, is cascara the wood that has a bit of a citrus smell? Been so long since I worked it I couldn't remember. I found an old stave in my stash last year that had that smell. Just like the others it made a nice but short lived bow.
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badger,
Google my user name you will see lots of pics of Cascara.
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Most guys are using the Buckthorn variety as it is more available to many.
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Well I've learned something. I didn't know they were related. Wikipedia refers to an Alder Buckthorn. Is that the invasive one?
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So anything I've read on here about Buckthorn can apply to Cascara. Is Buckthorn bark also a laxative?
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2 different buckthorns....west coast is "cascara sagrada"
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I think it's just known as European or Common Buckthorn. Alder Buckthorn is likely a variety with alder like foliage.
They all seem fairly similar judging by descriptions.
Common Buckthorn is also a strong laxative.
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They may look the same on the outside but I have staves from cascara(also known as 'false buckthorn') and buckthorn and they're completely different woods.
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Very closely related though. Both are Rhamnus.
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I love cascara! I don't think that there is a more beautiful bow wood! The sapwood is almost yellow and the heartwood is pink or salmon colored. It's light as a feather, but holds up well. I have made character bows as well as conventional bows and all of them have performed super. Just my two cents. Dale
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2 different buckthorns....west coast is "cascara sagrada"
That is just the name for the bark, not the tree.
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Pat,
Very true...BUT it identifies the west coast buckthorn, verses others I believe. :)