Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hickoryswitch on June 09, 2008, 09:28:14 pm
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Has anyone tried black gum? I've used it for firewood and know it's really hard to split and it's hard.
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I haven't tried black gum but as fibrous as it is it should at least make an OK bow. Give it a try and let us know what you find out. Pat
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My brother in law has a lot going on his property and I remeber him telling me you can put a rope around the tree and pull it right down to the ground with a tractor and it will spring right back up. Always wanted to try it. Steve
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I've always threatened to try one, but I'm too lazy to split the stave out-as hard as it is to split, it shouldn't break.
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Yeah i was gonna try to find about 3 other people to help me split it. Do I have any takers? ;D It'd take me days to split it by myself.
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I've thought about finding a 3" sapling and just cutting it in half. Or you could do like Jim Hamm said about splitting the 36" osage log-he would beat on the wedges until he passed out, then when he woke up he would beat on them until he passed out again, until it was finally split. :)
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Maybe I need to buy a bunch of wedges and a soft chair to pass out in. Too bad I can't use the hydraulic splitter. :) I could have a guy with a wood mizer Slab it up. Now I gotta go find a gum to cut. Thanks everyone I'm gonna give it a try.
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Get one about 3" in diameter like Steve said and cut it in haly with a band saw or wood miser. Pat
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It won't have too much crown that small?
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I've done it with other woods. I guess we won't know until you try! ;D Pat
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Well I guess I'll have to try it and let everyone know. I'll try to find a piece this afternoon. Thanks.
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I've often thought that it LOOKED like a good bowwood tree. related to Dogwood too. The wood characteristics are pretty marginal though. Light density, not good either in tension or compression.
Dave