Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Redbone on August 22, 2008, 11:24:18 am

Title: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: Redbone on August 22, 2008, 11:24:18 am

I just picked up a very nice Mullberry stave about 74" x 2" It has about 3/4" of sapwood "white wood" The rings are not very tight on the hardwood, about medium. Question is. Can I leave the sapwood as a backing like on Yew wood? I should be able to follow a ring on the sapwood without any violation of the rings. Would this hold up for a english bow up to 70#?. Or do I need to just take the sapwood off and stick to the hardwood?

Thanks,

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: El Destructo on August 22, 2008, 11:29:22 am

I would not use the Sapwood....I have never seen a case where it did not check and crack into the Heartwood when left on....at least that has been my experiences with the Sapwood..it cracked just like sapwood on Osage does.....Mulberry Heartwood will make a nice ELB though

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: Pat B on August 22, 2008, 11:37:24 am

I have used mulberry sapwood with good results. I have made bows of almost all sapwood, about half and half and with just a ring or 2 left for a backing. If you know the sapwood is sound and was cared for properly, it will be fine on your bow...especially with a bow that is 72" long.
   If you do leave some sapwood on, you bow will be a bit thicker than if it is just heartwood.     Pat

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: Hillbilly on August 22, 2008, 12:24:09 pm

I have made a couple ELBs from mulberry with a couple rings of sapwood left on. Never had any problem at all with checking or cracking. After they age awhile, they look a lot like a yew elb. Mulberry seems to work well in this design.

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: El Destructo on August 22, 2008, 12:58:53 pm

Guess I did something wrong then...mine all checked on me....maybe I should have left the Bark on...or sealed the Backs...... ???

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: Pat B on August 22, 2008, 01:13:22 pm

If I remove bark from any wood I seal the back. Some say it isn't necessary on whitewoods(I consider cherry a bow making white wood) but I seal it all. It doesn't take but a minute and good wood is hard to come by.     Pat

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: DanaM on August 22, 2008, 01:15:16 pm

I agree Pat I mostly have white wood and I seal it all, better safe than sorry eh :)

Title: Re: Mullberry stave, Good for ELB?
Post by: Redbone on August 22, 2008, 03:38:43 pm

Thanks Gentlemen...Sapwood it is!  And El destructo don't worry your luck is probably like mine!
Thanks for all the feedback and info. I will be making shaving's this weekend.