Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: david w. on June 04, 2008, 09:04:03 pm

Title: sassafras
Post by: david w. on June 04, 2008, 09:04:03 pm

Does sassafras check bad?  I have  5-6"  tree i am going to cut.

i was thinking long d bows about 1 1/2" wide and 68"-70" ntn

Title: Re: sassafras
Post by: Pat B on June 04, 2008, 11:33:02 pm

David, I made a few sass bows when I first started. Most of them took quite a bit of set(but so did everything I touched ;D). I haven't tried any lately but I have a few well seasoned staves in my basement.      Pat

Title: Re: sassafras
Post by: david w. on June 05, 2008, 12:03:59 am

ive found about 5 trees suitable for bows and i could get at least for staves from anyone of them

Title: Re: sassafras
Post by: Pat B on June 05, 2008, 12:10:16 am

Check the bark very well to be sure it isn't twisted. A few years back I cut a 15" diameter sassafras tree and got 3, 7' perfectly straight logs from it with no limbs. BUT, when I split the logs out all the staves had at least 90deg of twist. They made a nice split rail fence! ;D     Pat

Title: Re: sassafras
Post by: david w. on June 05, 2008, 12:12:03 am

I will definately check. i would hate to split it and then find out its twisted.