Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on March 20, 2026, 10:29:51 pm

Title: Curly Maple?
Post by: sleek on March 20, 2026, 10:29:51 pm

Anyone have any experience with using curly maple as a self bow or laminate?

Title: Re: Curly Maple?
Post by: medicinewheel on March 21, 2026, 02:28:55 am

Yes! - they all fretted right at the curls... 

Title: Re: Curly Maple?
Post by: stuckinthemud on March 21, 2026, 07:37:19 am

It'd make a beautiful riser though

Title: Re: Curly Maple?
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 21, 2026, 10:31:20 am

Sandwiched between fiberglass lams it would be OK.

I have worked very curly maple in a number of flintlock stocks, the dark curls are usually very hard wood but the lighter wood between the curls is soft and often splintery, not a good combination for bows.

I have never tried to make a bow out of curly maple so I am only speculating about it's bow making property's from what I have seen putting while a chisel and gouge to the wood.

Title: Re: Curly Maple?
Post by: mmattockx on March 21, 2026, 12:30:12 pm

Quote from: stuckinthemud on Today at 07:37:19 am

It'd make a beautiful riser though

+1. In a low stress area of the riser it would look great, but I can't imagine trying to bend it with the swirling grain patterns.


Mark

Title: Re: Curly Maple?
Post by: Pat B on March 21, 2026, 02:07:21 pm

I think Clint(Osage outlaw) built one a few years ago. Maybe he'll chime in.