Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: butch on March 31, 2008, 11:24:57 pm

Title: dogwood
Post by: butch on March 31, 2008, 11:24:57 pm

i got a trunk today , 6"x8' ,fairly straight, mostly heartwood. anyone know if it is a potential bow.  thanks..

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: Hillbilly on March 31, 2008, 11:30:05 pm

Dogwood makes good bows, you just don't see too many of them. Pat gave me a stave a while back and I've got it roughed out and clamped on the caul drying right now. I'm looking forward to working on it.

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: butch on April 01, 2008, 12:58:55 am

do i chase a ring or use the whitewood. its about .75" thick , then 4 or5" yellow sapwood.
 should it be wide and long or can i do shorter with handle bending.  ive only built one that didnt blow, set, fractuure.    thanks  butch

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: Badger on April 01, 2008, 01:14:39 am

Couple of years ago I was buying every dog wood stave I could get my hands on. makes nice bows, Just like any white wood bow be concious of the moisture as it will take set if not careful. Kind of rminds me of hickory a bit when I am working it. Works real well with a spokeshave. Steve

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: BryanB on April 01, 2008, 04:21:41 am

I have heard it makes an excellent bow.  I hope to find out soon.  The buds are just starting to think about flowering in my area.  I usually see the pretty flowers near the end of turkey season.  It is also supose to make a nice bopper for knapping arrow heads.
Bryan

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: Hillbilly on April 01, 2008, 10:11:49 am

Use the whitewood right under the bark. I've got mine laid out a fuzz narrower than I would a hickory bow-about 1 5/8" fades to midlimb. It's dense, heavy wood.

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: michbowguy on April 01, 2008, 04:11:39 pm

ya mean this .... ;) ;) ;)
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/michbowguy/100_1950.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/michbowguy/100_1951.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x74/michbowguy/100_1953.jpg

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: DanaM on April 01, 2008, 04:13:21 pm

jamie I think their talking about flowering dogwood

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: Hillbilly on April 01, 2008, 04:31:36 pm

Jamie, nope, that's what you want for arrows. Here's what you want for bows:

(http://www.okstate.edu/ag/asnr/hortla/needham/Images/anella/cornus_florida_fm.jpg)

(http://www.missouriplants.com/Others/Cornus_florida_bark.jpg)

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: michbowguy on April 01, 2008, 07:40:07 pm

hmm, ive had no problem with the sappling bows i get from the older shrubs...
i just have to wrap up the limbs at top and botom and glue the pi$$ out of them as they like to check badly.
mbg

Title: Re: dogwood
Post by: Hillbilly on April 02, 2008, 06:08:28 pm

Jamie, I bet the shrub dogwoods would make a great bow if you can find a piece big enough. I use silky dogwood for arrows sometimes, and like you said, it checks badly if you peel the bark too soon.