Paper Birch Longbow

[bushman]

I got a Paper Birch stave its just over 7’ long, about 2.75" at the but and 1.5" at the top. It was dead from the top down. Top was dry but not rotten yet, the but had some center rot about half an inch wide but it only went up for a foot. I was wondering if I can make a long bow out of it. I was hoping to get 50# at 28”. I was thinking of leavin it at 7’ and was thinking about leaving the limbs a bit wider then an English longbow. Would this work, or am I wasting my time trying to get 50# out of it? Thanks.
Bushman

[Del the cat]

A while back I made an 89" Maple longbow it was slow and sluggish, but sooooo smooooooth. I didn't even bother finishing it off.
One of the guys at the club thought it was great so I let hime have it. So...
I think it's worth doing 'just to see how it turns out', but I wouldn't expect it to be your best bow.
Mind, sometimes it's the quick little try outs that have that je ne sais quoi.
Del