Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hickoryswitch on April 30, 2008, 08:25:45 am

Title: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on April 30, 2008, 08:25:45 am
Has anyone ever used pawpaw wood to build a bow? This may not be the correct name for this tree but thats what everyone here calls it. It has a green fruit that tastes kinda like a banana if i remember right. If anyone could give info I would appreciate it as I may have a tree to cut into staves.
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: El Destructo on April 30, 2008, 08:52:01 am
Cut it down if you must....it makes good Bow Wood......I made one Bow from it...and still have one Stave in the Garage....nice Whitewood....and Springy too....JMO
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on April 30, 2008, 09:35:23 am
This one has just been pushed up out of my uncle's yard so it's gonna die anyways . I did'nt wanna let it waste if it would make a bow. I would'nt cut down a fruit tree when i've got other hardwoods.
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: TRACY on April 30, 2008, 09:38:40 am
The Indiana banana. Never used it but would give it a try.

Tracy
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: El Destructo on April 30, 2008, 10:53:00 pm
If you don't want it....cut it....split it.....and trade it.......I'll take a Piece....and I am sure the rest would go too.....It does make a Nice Bow....like they say....if it's a tree....and it bears fruit....It'll make a Bow
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on May 01, 2008, 09:30:02 am
What kind of width would i be lookin at for a 50lbs bow from pawpaw? Is it brittle or fairly elastic ? 
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: El Destructo on May 01, 2008, 10:26:29 pm
I made a Wampanoag Bow out of it....2 inches wide and 68 inches long....1 1/4" in the Handle.....It turned out to be 55 pounds at 28 inches
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: sailordad on May 02, 2008, 12:19:43 am
heck ifn you wanna cut it and get rid of a stave i would be willing to take one ifn we could work something out
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on May 02, 2008, 12:31:32 am
I'm gonna go cut it up tomorrow rain or shine. Thanks everyone for your advice. Sailordad let me finally get your hickory to you first. I'm dependable just not always fast. ;D ;) By the way i'm gonna finally send you that stave tomorrow the boss promised we're having a pick up.
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: El Destructo on May 02, 2008, 01:04:54 am
I'm gonna go cut it up tomorrow rain or shine. Thanks everyone for your advice. Sailordad let me finally get your hickory to you first. I'm dependable just not always fast. ;D ;) By the way i'm gonna finally send you that stave tomorrow the boss promised we're having a pick up.

                                            Whadda about me......I talked you into cutting it up!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on May 02, 2008, 08:01:22 am
I wasnt forgetting you destructo. I'll see what the tree splits out to I'd like to keep one stave. The rest I can share. ;D It's getting bout time for me to cut some more trees. Whens the best time to cut hedge? I never cut it never worked it besides knife scales.
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: El Destructo on May 02, 2008, 09:19:06 am
The best time to cut Hedge.........any time that you can get to cut Hedge is a good time!!!!! The only difference is......now it will peel easy.....but it will bleed like mad too....and it is like a Rubber Tree....all that sticky white Milk...looks like Elmer's Glue!!!...I like to cut it in the late Fall when the Sap is down....but it is just because it makes less of a Mess.....the Old Ones would only cut it when the Sap was down....they said that this was the only time it would make a good Bow....but I don't go that far....as soon as the Sap starts to run....and the Buds begin to fatten up on the Branches....I start to cut my Hardwoods....but thats just me

                   Hey if this Wood I just cut turns out good.....I will trade you a stave for one of yours......deal????
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: catfishon on May 03, 2008, 12:07:32 am
guys i have a woods full of paw paw trees . but they dont get real big . a 6" trunk would be a biggun. do you think it better than hickory? i have lots of that also. i may do some trading if anyone is wanting paw paw.
Title: Re: pawpaw wood?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on May 03, 2008, 01:04:51 am
Well i said rain or shine but it was really pourin this afternoon so maybe tomorrow. :-[ It's gonna be a bear to get to he pushed it up in a pile so i'm gonna have to work for this one.