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Recent Posts
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Bows / Re: bending hop hornbeam
« Last post by bjrogg on December 31, 2025, 05:42:41 pm »HHB does like to twist. I’ve split trees that twisted 180 degrees in six feet. They looked perfectly straight. I look at the bark now to see if it twist the grain usually does to.
Propeller really isn’t a done deal.
You can get away with more propeller than you might think.
You don’t need everything perfectly straight either. Just need tips to line up with center of handle.
One thing HHB is probably better than Osage for is interlocking grain. You can get away with not following the grain a little more laying out bow than Osage. I still get best results following grain though.
I use a rasp for reducing more with HHB. It sometimes like to tear out spots with draw knife
Bjrogg
PS I made a lot of bows from imperfect HHB. Very shootable bows. Don’t be afraid to try. It’s where I started. Also I would recommend reducing a stave to close to bow dimensions to help it dry better. It can be cut for years and still have moisture in it.
Propeller really isn’t a done deal.
You can get away with more propeller than you might think.
You don’t need everything perfectly straight either. Just need tips to line up with center of handle.
One thing HHB is probably better than Osage for is interlocking grain. You can get away with not following the grain a little more laying out bow than Osage. I still get best results following grain though.
I use a rasp for reducing more with HHB. It sometimes like to tear out spots with draw knife
Bjrogg
PS I made a lot of bows from imperfect HHB. Very shootable bows. Don’t be afraid to try. It’s where I started. Also I would recommend reducing a stave to close to bow dimensions to help it dry better. It can be cut for years and still have moisture in it.
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Bows / Re: bending hop hornbeam
« Last post by bluejack on December 31, 2025, 05:26:49 pm »Hey Will B maybe you should do yours first and let me know !!! Ha-gotcha !!
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Primitive Shoots and Events / Primative Event
« Last post by Fla Frontiersmen on December 31, 2025, 05:23:13 pm »Alafia River Rendezvous will have a 3 day event with daily and cumulative prizes. Plus a 1 day Fred Bear shoot. Pre 1840 attire is required. Camping area is provided. Come Join the fun, bring the family. We need Primative Vendors as well. Come to Florida for a week and enjoy our event. http://www.alafiariverrendezvous.org
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Bows / Re: Bamboo-maple-horn, 98#@28"
« Last post by Will B on December 31, 2025, 05:05:09 pm »Beautiful bow! Outstanding craftsmanship. Thanks for posting the photos here
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Bows / Re: Tea Pot
« Last post by Will B on December 31, 2025, 05:03:17 pm »Very cool little bow BJ! I love everything about it including the name. Well done!
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Bows / Re: bending hop hornbeam
« Last post by Will B on December 31, 2025, 04:56:36 pm »Good luck Jim. I have a stave from that tree you gave me awhile back with several twist also… so I hope you are successful. If so I will give mine a go.
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Arrows / Re: Best wood for 450-500 gr, FOC arrows?
« Last post by JW_Halverson on December 31, 2025, 04:48:48 pm »I broke down and bought the Ace Spine Master, their SIMPLE spine tester. It was a hundred bucks at the Tennessee Classic, but I was stupid enough to wait until the last day to buy one and he had sold out, even the floor model he was using to show how it works! It was still worth it to buy it off the website acearcherytackle dot com.
I do see they are up to $130 now. But still cheaper than the complex $350 ones!!!
I do see they are up to $130 now. But still cheaper than the complex $350 ones!!!
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Bows / Re: bending hop hornbeam
« Last post by bluejack on December 31, 2025, 04:26:30 pm »Sorry guys, I don`t know how to do pictures,but it has considerable propeller in each limb and also need some straightening after trying to correct twist. Can`t find a straight HHB tree on my property. I should have asked before going as far as I did. I`ll probably continue with it and see what I end up with. Wish me luck!!
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Bows / Re: bending hop hornbeam
« Last post by Pat B on December 31, 2025, 03:20:23 pm »Bluejack, will you post pics of your stave so we can make a more educated judgement and suggestions.