Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: superdav95 on August 25, 2023, 09:01:56 am
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I dug out this elm stave I tucked away over a year ago. Got looking at it and it is quite snaky. I decided to work it down some and follow the grain. Here’s where I got to. All of the others cut that day are the same. Let me know what you think. Will it bow?
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Nice stave, will for sure make a cool bow. What kind of elm is it? In my experience european elm (ulmus glabra) has a very "interlocked grain" and will tolerate a lot of grain run-off, so no need to be too careful following grain flow.
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Nice stave, will for sure make a cool bow. What kind of elm is it? In my experience european elm (ulmus glabra) has a very "interlocked grain" and will tolerate a lot of grain run-off, so no need to be too careful following grain flow.
When I cut it over a year ago I asked folks here what type it might be and was told then most likley European elm. Yes it’s grain is very interlocked. The top couple layers are similar enough for me to keep the snaky profile. Should be interesting to tiller.
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That's a very cool stave, Dave. Elm might be the better wood for a snaky bow because of the interlocking grain. Looking forward to seeing your process. 8) :OK
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I’m watching and sure you will make a good bow ! But you know where I stand on the snakes. Interesting though!
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That's a very cool stave, Dave. Elm might be the better wood for a snaky bow because of the interlocking grain. Looking forward to seeing your process. 8) :OK
Awesome. Good news then. Thanks Pat
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I’m watching and sure you will make a good bow ! But you know where I stand on the snakes. Interesting though!
Thanks Arvin. I may have to have you ship me some diamond back skins from down there. 😁
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Thinned this piece of wood some more. It’s definitely snaky. It’s 67” ttt and will be 1.5” at the fades will put a slight recurve/flipped tips with steam. In next few days. Thanks for looking.
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:OK
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Yes don’t have any or I would.
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I love snaky bows, looks like you done a fine job on lay out and following the longitudinal grain which is key on a successful snaky bow. :)
Pappy
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I love snaky bows, looks like you done a fine job on lay out and following the longitudinal grain which is key on a successful snaky bow. :)
Pappy
Thanks pappy. Here’s hopin
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Looks great Dave! I’ve never tried elm yet. Looks like beautiful wood. Good luck with it the rest of the way
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Dave, I've used and cut a good bit of elm and have found several like that. I don't think its actually snaky grain. I say that because when I split it out it split straight and not snaky. What does the belly grain look like?
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Yes not snaky. It's quite common to see Elm with snaky grain like that in one ring then straight in the next
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Dave, I've used and cut a good bit of elm and have found several like that. I don't think its actually snaky grain. I say that because when I split it out it split straight and not snaky. What does the belly grain look like?
The belly grain is similarly snaky but not exactly the same as the top back layer. You can see in the pic here at one end in particular. It somewhat follows a snaky pattern but varying a little. I wish this split straight it would have been nice. The log was nice and straight but when I kerfed it into 4 it still had a really hard time so ended up cutting all the way through. Very snaky to say the least. I was hoping for some straight stuff but will work with this.
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I would try to build one cut out straight. That one looks like a boom boom waiting to happen :)
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I would try to build one cut out straight. That one looks like a boom boom waiting to happen :)
Well I’ve got a few more so will try it straight too and see like you say. I’m thinking g the interwoven grain should help significantly with it surviving.
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I have no idea what makes it grow rings that way. But, I've seen it several times. Best of luck with both builds, Dave. You will make it happen if its possible.
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I have no idea what makes it grow rings that way. But, I've seen it several times. Best of luck with both builds, Dave. You will make it happen if its possible.
I’ve had elm like that two. If I chased the ring under it was 180 degrees out of phase with the snaky one on top. Decided just to cut it straight. I pretty much screwed that bow up though so really can’t say how it would have worked out. I guess I never tried an Elm after. Don’t have much live Elm around here anymore
Bjrogg
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A lot of snaky osage is like that too. That's one reason so few really snaky bows are successfully built.
Looking forward to what you can do with it, Dave. :OK
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A lot of snaky osage is like that too. That's one reason so few really snaky bows are successfully built.
Looking forward to what you can do with it, Dave. :OK
I’ve never noticed that Pat, but I don’t think I have ever really had a snaky one . Most of the snaky Osage bows I’ve made went around knots
Bjrogg
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Shannon Walker cut an osage and got 8 or 10 very snaky staves and a few billets. I think only 2 or 3 survived and they are the ones on Pappy's bow rack. All because of the counter acting rings.
(https://i.imgur.com/KVR8uPO.jpg)
This is the snaky bow Pappy and Will made for me. The original bottom limb blew up and fortunately Will had another billet with enough snakiness to be a match.
(https://i.imgur.com/gd2ImTc.jpg)
I think the elm, because of it's interlocking grain would fare better.
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Now that’s a great looking rack of bows. Like yours too Pat.. something about them snaky bows. I’ve always wanted to try one. Probably beyond my skill set. I think I’ve got a stave I might could try one with. Not as snaky as most of those but it’s got a little bit of it
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Good luck, Dave. Look forward to seeing what you do with that.