Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 06:51:53 pm

Title: Black locusts bow
Post by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 06:51:53 pm
I got this black locust stave from Jim Hammer. I felt that it was real dense so I did a couple of one inch cubes and weighed them then did a float test. Here are the results. They both weighed .54oz. Pics of float test.
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Pat B on November 16, 2025, 06:54:40 pm
Barely buoyant.
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 06:59:40 pm
Pic of locust.
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Pappy on November 16, 2025, 07:51:57 pm
Not trying to be a smart *** but is that good our bad ?  :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 10:02:58 pm
Pappy the black locust is as dense as Osage. In the bowyers bible Osage  specific gravity is .82 so if I’m right here 18% of the cube should be above the water line. On black locust the specific gravity is .69 So 31% of the cube should be above the water line. It seams that both wood types are very dense. This could be some very good black locust because of its density. I might be all off here not knowing what I’m talking about. So if I am please correct me. 🤠🤠
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 10:21:03 pm
Ok just thinking I decided to check the moisture in both woods. The Osage was6% and the locust was 10%. So the black locust moisture may be affecting the float test. Need a smart guy!
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: bentstick54 on November 16, 2025, 10:37:39 pm
Arvin, you’re talking above my pay grade, but as always I’m following along and I’m sure like always will learn from your experience.
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: Selfbowman on November 16, 2025, 10:50:30 pm
Ok I made a white pine 1” cube it weighed.36 so lighter than the black locust. Specific gravity was .45 in the Bible. Here is the float test . Could not get it to float right but more above the water line. Not as dense .
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: sleek on November 17, 2025, 12:36:11 am
Arvin, is that tap water or pure distilled water? That does make a difference in float height.
Title: Re: Black locusts bow
Post by: sleek on November 17, 2025, 12:40:12 am
Ok I made a white pine 1” cube it weighed.36 so lighter than the black locust. Specific gravity was .45 in the Bible. Here is the float test . Could not get it to float right but more above the water line. Not as dense .

Assuming the dimensions are very close to 1 cubic inch, thays pinr block is .62 sg. Im starting to question the accuracy of that list in the TBB.