Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Doug509 on February 08, 2026, 04:07:17 pm
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Harvested this stave of PNW Elderberry about 1 year ago. Sealed the ends and removed some belly wood and it was dry by end of summer. Its my next project. Handle is 1.6" (40mm). 75" overall length.
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I don’t know anything about elderberry, but I’m imagining a pretty bow.
Bjrogg
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Debarked, handle established & limbs ready for tillering. Length reduced to 71" . The pith groove is about 10mm and creates a hole in the handle. Pretty easy way to make a hollow limb bow.
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Bjrogg my first time with Elderberry. Supposed to be decent bow wood. This stuff is easy to dry. Easy to rasp. Doesnt really like my cabinet scrapers. Feels low density like balsa wood. Will see how this goes.
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That's going to be an interesting piece of wood to work on, should be unique if it works out. Looking forward to seeing it as you move along. :)
Pappy
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Very interesting. I will definitely be watching this.
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yep super interesting, Got plenty of elder around me but i've never cut any. looking forward to seeing what you do!
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Elderberry is good bow wood but I had some that probably went too dry and exploded in many many pieces without notice
Zero to Kaboom in no time
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Yup that gonna be cool. Hollow limb bows are a bit more challenging to do but same basic principle applies. Keeping even thickness as you reduce it down and keep close eye on rounding edges as you floor tiller. If it was me I might consider lengthening the fades a touch compared to regular flat bow. It will be pretty if it bows.
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Dimensions right now has the center of handle at 1 3/8" wide. Arrow pass is 1 1/8". Id like to reduce this but with a hollow core I dont want to create a thin spot or hole.
Fades end 4.5" out at 1 3/8" wide. I could extend the fades from 4.5 to 6 or 8".
Upper limb remains 1 3/8" wide then tapers last 14" to tips. Lower limb at mid limb is 1 1/2" wide.
The depth of wood with center pith removed ranges from 8 to 10 mm.
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Elderberry is good bow wood but I had some that probably went too dry and exploded in many many pieces without notice
Zero to Kaboom in no time
+1
Del
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Probably generate some sputtering over this, but, the forces at work in a hollow limb bow include the tendency to spread and flatten the U shaped cross section. If the wood splits easily, it will.
There are exceptional woods and exceptional staves, but that's what is at work in a hollow limb bow.
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In my town growing up elderberries grew every were. We used to pick them,and sale them to jelly makers. Our bows were made from the bush branches. We would just bend the whole branch, and use lengths of kite string. They would bend a long ways before they broke, and with golden rod shafts we had a lot of fun shooting them. They never got any were near the size of your stave. Good luck.
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Im betting its going to go Kaboom! I'll see this to the end and report back. Fun times at bow school.
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Let's hope not, I have lots of character bows over the years that I was sure wouldn't make it turn into some of the best shooting bows I have made,never know it's wood and it just might want it's second life to be a bow. :-\ Good luck, hope it works out. :)
Pappy
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That's looking beautiful so far, I hope it holds up to becoming a bow!
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KABOOM! Broke at the first branch node just outside the fade. Moving on to other wood...
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Wow, looks like an exciting break...!
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Ya that’s a shame. Good attitude and move on to the next one.
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Are you awake now? ;D Sorry for the break. Some cool looking stuff...
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Damn that’s a shame. Though honestly I think I prefer them to blow up than just turn out a bit disappointing, at least it’s exciting then!
How far was it bending and how much was it pulling?
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That's a real shame. Very cool looking bow.
Do You think rawhide or sinew would have made it viable long term?
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Yes wide awake after that. She was at 20" draw 27#. Excercising several times looking good. When i tried pulling to 22" she blew up. Sinew or rawhide probably wouldnt help. I think that dark brown wood at the branch node may have been the cause. It looks like dead tissue.
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Yep, probably so. Well, you can feel good about some good workmanship, if not the result. My backyard chiminea is fueled by failed attempts, so nothing is wasted. (--)
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Sorry about that, and you are right Sinew or rawhide probable wouldn't have helped on that one. On to the next. ;) I always tell people the main thing whit working with wood bows is " don't fall in love with a stick of wood until it is a bow, it's only a stick of wood until then " ;) That was a pretty piece though. ;)
Pappy
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Well that’s disappointing for sure. It would have made a pretty bow if it survived. Nice effort on your part.
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Sorry about that, and you are right Sinew or rawhide probable wouldn't have helped on that one. On to the next. ;) I always tell people the main thing whit working with wood bows is " don't fall in love with a stick of wood until it is a bow, it's only a stick of wood until then " ;) That was a pretty piece though. ;)
Pappy
AMEN! I have fallen in love with many a stick only to have them dump me before I even got to the first kiss, I mean ARROW!