Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: doggonemess on May 01, 2012, 01:31:53 pm

Title: Cherry stave - leave sapwood on or off?
Post by: doggonemess on May 01, 2012, 01:31:53 pm
Greetings,

My neighbor just cut down a massive Cherry tree, and I got a six foot section for bow making. The log split well into three sections, and I can probably make five staves from it. Right now, it's sitting under the porch off the ground seasoning. I'll split it into staves in a few months.

My question is this - should I leave the sapwood on the stave when it's time to make the bow? It has a rich, red heartwood and a relatively thin light colored sapwood. I'm not sure about hardwoods, though. I've read that you're not supposed to leave the sapwood as it can be weak and ruin the bow. I know with yew and similar woods, you can leave the sapwood and it makes the bow even better.

I'll provide some pics of the cross-section soon. It looks pretty darn good to me. Thanks!
Title: Re: Cherry stave - leave sapwood on or off?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 01, 2012, 02:21:38 pm
Leave the wood intact and just peel bark and cambium off.
Title: Re: Cherry stave - leave sapwood on or off?
Post by: Buckeye Guy on May 01, 2012, 03:49:16 pm
Just peel and go !
Sounds like some nice stuff !
Guy
Title: Re: Cherry stave - leave sapwood on or off?
Post by: dwardo on May 01, 2012, 07:09:23 pm
Love cherry for bow wood. I have tried just under the outer bark silk backed, silk backed no bark at all and no backing at all, all worked well.
Title: Re: Cherry stave - leave sapwood on or off?
Post by: soy on May 02, 2012, 03:52:39 am
Get the bark off asap had some go bad leaving it on in stave form.and boath ways ive been told work.