Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jameswoodmot on January 10, 2026, 03:44:38 pm

Title: Hazel hollow limb
Post by: jameswoodmot on January 10, 2026, 03:44:38 pm
Hitting the ground running with this one, the oil on the BL bow is t even dry yet.

Posted this stave a little while ago, nice and clean, 74” long. Goes from about three inch to a bit over 2” in diameter.
I dried the other half of it a bit too fast and it got a bit of a wibble on it so I’ll start with the straighter half.

Lopped it down to 66”

You can probably see my workshop in the photos, I’m not lacking in equipment. It’s so easy to go to the power tools it’s hard for me not to but I’m going to make this one with hand tools only.

Just going to steam and flip the tips this evening and heat treat it tomorrow
Title: Re: Hazel hollow limb
Post by: jameswoodmot on January 10, 2026, 03:45:44 pm
Never done a hollow limb before so we’ll see how this goes!
Title: Re: Hazel hollow limb
Post by: Del the cat on January 10, 2026, 05:11:12 pm
Looking good. It's a lovely, easy wood to work with isn't it?
Del
Title: Re: Hazel hollow limb
Post by: Stickbow Felty on January 10, 2026, 05:24:01 pm
Is there an advantage of doing a hollow limb or is it just for looks?

Greg
Title: Re: Hazel hollow limb
Post by: jameswoodmot on January 10, 2026, 05:32:22 pm
Yeah it’s nice Del, that is until it tears out! Does love to pull a splinter. Did t managed to help the bark on like that recurve you’ve got.

Felty, hollowing the limb is beneficial for small diameter staves as you can maintain even cross section and various other benefits that I won’t write out as you can read about them in far more detail here
https://primitive-bows.com/hld-a-new-progressive-design-for-selfbows/