Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: dreamcraft_archery on April 24, 2020, 12:47:04 pm

Title: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: dreamcraft_archery on April 24, 2020, 12:47:04 pm: Hi guys!

I hope you stay strong in these crazy times.

Today I'd like to show you my latest creation. It's experimental bow made from ash (Fraxinus excelsior) heartwood. The tree is known to have a little of heartwood and sometimes it's the same coloured as sapwood. One of my fellow bowyers asked me if it's suitable to make a bow from it. So I decided I will find out. I went to my drying room and found suitable piece of wood. I split it succesfully. The heartwood section was very narrow but nicely coloured.

That's how the bow was created. It draws about 30lbs at 28" and can be safely drawn further. It's 68" ntn. It has short stiff recurves. Took not much set- less than an inch. I sealed it with natural linseed oil. On tips I glued Osage Orange nocks. It's name is "Igni".

All the best guys stay safe!
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: dreamcraft_archery on April 24, 2020, 12:48:07 pm: More pics
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: Hrothgar on April 24, 2020, 12:57:40 pm: Good looking bow, the linseed oil is a nice finish to bring out the grain. Those wide rings remind me of mulberry --sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse.
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: PaSteve on April 24, 2020, 02:28:35 pm: I like the profile of that bow. Nicely done.
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: sleek on April 24, 2020, 05:13:04 pm: Thats well made. I bet at 30 pounds, you could shoot that all day and never get tired. A real nice bow :)
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: simson on April 25, 2020, 12:58:36 am: Nice bow!
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: simk on April 25, 2020, 01:18:51 am: neat bow, well executed. i do have some ash heartwood seasoned as well for bowmaking. what were your impressions about it in comparison to regular ash?
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: George Tsoukalas on April 25, 2020, 08:46:00 am: Wonderful! Tiller looks great. Jawge
Title: Re: Ash heartwood bow "Igni"
Post by: dreamcraft_archery on April 25, 2020, 12:59:49 pm: Thank you so much guys!
Quote from: simk on April 25, 2020, 01:18:51 am
neat bow, well executed. i do have some ash heartwood seasoned as well for bowmaking. what were your impressions about it in comparison to regular ash?
It felt really good. After building one I'd say it performs close to ash sapwood but can't be sure. I will definetely make more bows from it and I shall find some better quality heartwood staves.