Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Will B on March 17, 2021, 05:54:12 pm

Title: Black Locust
Post by: Will B on March 17, 2021, 05:54:12 pm

I have a friend who was nice enough to let me cut a 12” diameter black locust tree that we split into 12 nice staves after de-barking. Bark popped right off and we took about half the sapwood down with the drawknife. Sealed the backs and ends with shellac. Hopefully I can start making bows with these next winter. Thank for the help Jim!
Will

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: WhistlingBadger on March 17, 2021, 06:01:27 pm

Nice!  BL can make a hard-hitting bow.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Hamish on March 17, 2021, 07:46:40 pm

I hope you sealed the staves back after debarking? If you don't it will check badly.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Will B on March 17, 2021, 08:36:06 pm

Yep...Hamish I sealed the back and ends with two coats of shellac.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Swampman on March 17, 2021, 09:08:54 pm

Very nice haul!  Black Locust is one of my favorite bow woods. 

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 17, 2021, 10:03:06 pm

Good to hear!

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Hawkdancer on March 18, 2021, 03:22:43 am

Nice haul!  That could be some great bows and trade material! :BB
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: bownarra on March 18, 2021, 04:16:30 am

It's risky leaving the sapwood on. Personally I'd remove all the sapwood.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Will B on March 18, 2021, 07:28:33 am

Bownarra I will take the rest of the sapwood off and reseal the backs. Thanks

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: bjrogg on March 18, 2021, 07:58:50 am

Quote from: bownarra on March 18, 2021, 04:16:30 am

It's risky leaving the sapwood on. Personally I'd remove all the sapwood.

I was wondering about that to. I know on Osage it checks really easy and really deep.

You did good though. You will be glad you did all that prep work in the future.

Bjrogg

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Russ on March 18, 2021, 08:17:28 am

Dang! good haul!

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: M2A on March 18, 2021, 09:06:27 am

Congrats! Sure enjoy the hunt for good resources. Nice work with that tree. I think it wise, if you got the time to get it down to hart wood too. Sap wood may or may not check, less chance of it happening with hart wood.
Mike

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Swampman on March 18, 2021, 10:47:56 am

I have some black locust that I left sap wood on after the bark was peeled.  I sealed it up well with spray shellac.  Some staves checked and some didn't. I will be able to make a bow out if all of the staves though.  I made two bows with the sap wood and both turned out well.  The contrast between the sap wood and heart wood makes for a nice looking bow.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: TimBo on March 18, 2021, 12:02:18 pm

Definitely safer to take all of the sapwood off.  Getting most of it like you did might help, but it seems risky.  The first time I cut black locust, I left most of the sapwood on and pretty much ruined the staves - they checked very deeply.  Sapwood is also a real pain to remove once it hardens up. 

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Fox on March 18, 2021, 01:40:28 pm

*jealous*  BL is quickly becoming my favorite wood... nice find :)

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: bassman on March 18, 2021, 06:52:43 pm

I love Will B. Next winter he will offer one of those staves even though I didn't help him cut them. He is good friend of mine. Maybe not so much now after reads this.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: gutpile on March 19, 2021, 01:31:04 pm

nice haul Will... gut

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 19, 2021, 03:16:10 pm

beautiful wood,, congrats,, yes dont take a chance leaving the sap wood,,

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: Will B on March 19, 2021, 04:49:20 pm

I took everyone’s advice and took all the sapwood off and sealed the ends and backs. Hope to make some nice bows with these next year.

Title: Re: Black Locust
Post by: gmc on March 20, 2021, 01:26:22 am

Very difficult wood, but makes a fine bow though.

Good haul!

gmc