Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JoJoDapyro on June 25, 2014, 12:43:57 pm

Title: Honey Locust
Post by: JoJoDapyro on June 25, 2014, 12:43:57 pm

I may have the opportunity to get a whole trees worth of honey locust. Is it any good? It is a 20+ year old tree, so lots of wood.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 25, 2014, 02:01:59 pm

Never used it, but never heard a good word about it either.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: mwosborn on June 25, 2014, 02:40:34 pm

I cut some a couple years ago.  Most of it twisted so bad that I ended up using it for firewood.  I did save one stave that was not twisted quite as bad - but I have not done anything with it yet.  If you end up cutting it, I would try and dry it slowly.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: Pat B on June 25, 2014, 02:46:18 pm

I've seen good bows made with honey locust but I've never built one. Its worth giving it a try.  ;)

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: rossfactor on June 25, 2014, 07:35:39 pm

I made one. I think it was 44# @28.  Shot good, but eventually chrysled if I recall.

gabe

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: Joec123able on June 25, 2014, 07:39:22 pm

I made a couple one I made when I first started making bows I backed it with fiberglass tape it cracked on the back when I let a buddy draw it I then made another a year later with same wood it lasted a few months even stuck a few carp with it then one day blew up so idk it can make decent bows I'm sure with someone better then me making them

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: Cade on June 27, 2014, 01:46:20 am

I have not used it but have heard it is definitely not as hard as BL and you have to leave it wide. There is lots if honey locust (we call it thorny locust here) where I live and want to try it some day. Keep us posted if it works out.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: JoJoDapyro on June 27, 2014, 08:48:57 am

The Arborist I work with is going to remove a big tree. A garbage truck cut a corner short and ripped the bark off about 4 feet up. It is about a 12 or 14 inch trunk now, with the limbs of the tree being from 8 to 4 inches. He also is keeping anything that is straight for me from the other trees in the city. He gave me 3 Silver maple logs yesterday.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 27, 2014, 09:53:45 am

Silver maple is not bow wood, very soft. Doesn't make very good firewood either, burns up quickly like cardboard.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: JoJoDapyro on June 27, 2014, 10:17:53 am

It is very knotty anyhow. I doubt it will split straight. I was planning on using it for handles and such.

Title: Re: Honey Locust
Post by: TRACY on June 27, 2014, 11:04:50 am

Here's a great information page that Jackcrafty put together for new folks. I look it over occasionally to refresh something I haven't done in a while. Lots of great tutorial links here as well. Hope this helps!

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,39116.0.html


Tracy