Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Colindemo on October 22, 2014, 05:26:24 pm

Title: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Colindemo on October 22, 2014, 05:26:24 pm

A while ago i got this piece of wood, thinking it was mulberry. However, someone told me that it's probably hazel instead. I would really like to know what kind of wood it is but since i already chopper it up and have the general bow shape it might be tricky to id. Any of you have an idea?

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Colindemo on October 22, 2014, 05:32:25 pm

As you can see on the photos, the growthrings are hardly visible and the wood feels a little elastic like yew-sapwood (hope that helps for id'ing)

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Pat B on October 22, 2014, 05:57:31 pm

What kind of bark did it have on it? How big was it when cut?

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Colindemo on October 23, 2014, 01:27:49 am

Unfortunately the bark was already off when i got it so i have no idea how it looked like. The stave was about 72 inches long 5 inches thicker and wilde and seemed to be part of a bigger log

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: wizardgoat on October 23, 2014, 01:57:49 am

without bark or leaves or anything really, everyone would just be guessing

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: mikekeswick on October 23, 2014, 03:11:34 am

If it's hazel i'll recognize it.  ;)
It could be hazel from what I can see but if you rasp a section flat, then scrape it smooth and take the best close up picture you can I may be able to help.

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Hrothgar on October 23, 2014, 06:58:33 am

Aren't beech trees fairly common in the Netherlands? I believe beech is a whitish wood too.

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: lenador on October 23, 2014, 08:49:11 am

I can tell you that looks nothing like the mulberries we have here. Ours look a lot like Osage. Yellow, stringy woven strands.

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: TacticalFate on October 23, 2014, 10:20:25 am

could we have a picture of the end grain?

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Colindemo on November 01, 2014, 03:07:47 am

Sorry for being inactive for a while but i've been asking around and it could either be a type of mulberry similar to hazel or just hazel. My phone-camera is not good enough to make a clear picture of the grain so i can't show it to you guys. The question is: will mulberry and hazel both be suitable to make a flat selfbow with or do i need a backing? I'm aiming for around 50 pounds and 67 inches ntn ( draw 28)

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: mikekeswick on November 01, 2014, 04:02:47 am

Certainly no backing needed with hazel. It's very tension strong best to trap the back or use a high crowned stave.

Title: Re: Tricky wood I.D.
Post by: Del the cat on November 01, 2014, 05:31:53 am

Looks and sounds like Hazel. can't smell, hear or taste it from here.
The Yew sapwood description is a give away (slightly less yellow than the yew sapwood?)
Mind what the heck do I know, I've got a touch or red green deficiency.. which at least stops me having to offer opinions on soft furnishings ;)
Del