Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Muskyman on May 05, 2025, 06:08:17 pm

Title: First time trying elm
Post by: Muskyman on May 05, 2025, 06:08:17 pm

Long bow is done, a first try with that type of bow so I figured I’d try another first.
Have a few elm staves that are a couple years old. This one might be a challenge. One limb is reflexed the other deflexed. Big hump in the handle area where I guess there was a knot. Got it shaped and am trying to bend reflex into the deflexed limb.  Still clamped up till tomorrow then I’ll see what I need to do after that. Probably going to have to do some more bending on it..
It was just bending a little when I was trying to floor tiller it. I’ll try and put a few pictures up over the next few days and maybe get some probably needed advice..

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Mad Max on May 05, 2025, 10:42:08 pm

Watching     :)

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Muskyman on May 06, 2025, 12:33:03 pm

I got the initial reflex out of it and am trying to match the natural reflex in the opposite limb. Heated again and back on the form. Also had a little twist in it and hopefully that will go away too. I’m not holding out a lot of hope for this stave but you never know.

Last picture is the handle but doesn’t show it very well. 
Wish I had taken some before pics of the s shape it had.

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Mad Max on May 06, 2025, 06:06:53 pm

What kind of Elm ?

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Muskyman on May 06, 2025, 08:03:27 pm

Not 100% sure to be honest. I think it’s what we call slippery elm around here. It was growing along the edge of my yard right where my woods start.
I got some reflex heated into the limb and I think I might have to get a little twist out of it before moving on. Might have a bit more heat corrections to make but we’ll see

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Pat B on May 07, 2025, 05:48:03 pm

Elm is an excellent bow wood. I've only made a few elm bows but have been impressed with it so far. My first elm bow was a 60" recurve. It took heat bending and corrections well. All of it was done with dry heat. I just got another elm stave at the Tenn Classic and plan to make another recurve. This one I will probably use steam for the recurves. I also plan to sinew back this one although none of my other elm bows were sinew backed.

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Muskyman on May 07, 2025, 08:01:01 pm

Can’t wait to see it Pat. I’ve got a bunch of sinew I bought a while back. Maybe since I’ve been on a first time thing I’ll try some sinew on my next bow.
I took a little twist out of the one limb today and am going to do a little more straightening yet. Then probably have to decide what I want to do with the handle area. 

Title: Re: First time trying elm
Post by: Pat B on May 08, 2025, 01:53:08 pm

The handle area is non-bending so make it to your advantage, see if you can shape it to take advantage of it's irregularities for your benefit.