Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TolkienFan on November 11, 2018, 11:49:35 am

Title: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: TolkienFan on November 11, 2018, 11:49:35 am

Hi all, 

I finally have had time to get back into working on my bows after a couple years.  I am working on a hickory that I have had as a stave for two years and really trying to take my time and do it right so that I can join the bow exchange soon!  I want to take a bit more off the tips, but want your guys expert advice? 

Also, I just found an incredibly straight young tree on a walk and dragged it home.  It looks absolutely perfect for a bow with no knots and no rot.  Can any of you help identify? I live in North Carolina if that helps.

Thanks!

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Badger on November 11, 2018, 12:04:29 pm

   That tiller shape will shoot well as long as the bow can stand up to that much bend near the handle without taking too much set. As a rule you would need a little less bend near the handle and more bend in the mid and outer limbs.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Pat B on November 11, 2018, 03:13:06 pm

Do you have any idea what the leaves look like?
Where in NC. I'm in Brevard, southwest of Asheville and north of Greenville, SC.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: bjrogg on November 11, 2018, 03:36:38 pm

I agree with Badger. Can't help with the tree ID
Bjrogg

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: TolkienFan on November 11, 2018, 07:11:12 pm

Yeah it was hinging at first right past the handle before I got to brace height. It’s still above draw weight so I hope I can get the outer parts bending better.  I’ll try and post once I have done some more work on the tiller. I spent today building my first shave horse.

No, unfortunately, I didn’t see any of the leaves.

Pat B, I am in Durham.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Pat B on November 11, 2018, 08:03:22 pm

The end grain looks like sassafras or sumac but the bark isn't sassafras. Does the wood have a specific smell?

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: ThreeSons on November 11, 2018, 08:34:07 pm

Is sycamore is a possibility? Molted bark there make me think that's what it is.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: TolkienFan on November 11, 2018, 08:35:42 pm

It doesn’t have a smell. It’s pretty hard and dense. I rough shaped it down a bit and seemed almost as hard as the hickory but has a darker color.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: George Tsoukalas on November 11, 2018, 09:39:21 pm

I might be inclined to give mid limb on on both limbs a few scrapes. Don't pull it too far until you fix the tiller.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: BowEd on November 12, 2018, 05:14:01 am

Have to agree with George here.It would be nice to see top profile look on your bow also.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Hawkdancer on November 12, 2018, 10:30:00 am

You might be able get get someone at the university botany dept. to id that log for you with a good sample of the bark. 

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: TolkienFan on November 12, 2018, 11:51:19 am

I look on some websites and it looks a bit like Red Maple now.  There is a lot of maple around here.  Here is a photo that looks fairly similar. Anyone agree? 

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Hrothgar on November 12, 2018, 06:36:29 pm

Pretty similar.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Pat B on November 12, 2018, 06:51:48 pm

Red maple has really white wood and the bark just doesn't look it.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Mounter on November 12, 2018, 08:29:00 pm

Mystery wood.... see if it’ll bend !

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Hawkdancer on November 12, 2018, 09:59:26 pm

Off to the Dendrologist! >:D (lol)!
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: Pat B on November 13, 2018, 08:22:10 am

Will you post pics of the buds at the limb tips of the tree.

Title: Re: My second bow post on here Tiller check and Stave/Tree ID help
Post by: TolkienFan on November 14, 2018, 04:17:38 pm

Unfortunately I don’t have any pics of the buds. I ripped it down to a stave the first day and tossed the bark.