Main Discussion Area > Bows

Introduction -- and Questions

(1/2) > >>

Wasatchhawk:
I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and PM'd a couple of you, thank you for your answers.

I have been bitten by the bowyer's bug a couple of times but haven't completed a bow yet.  The first time was 3 years ago while living in Michigan. Where all trees are tall and straight.  I had gone as far as selecting a nice ash tree and let it cure for 8-9 months and decided to start splitting it.  I pounded on that thing off and on for a week and only got it split halfway  I dropped the project because I found out I was moving to Utah.  My wife was tired of long drab winters and homesick for the desert.

I'm now in the desert without any trees to block my view for 100 miles and I;ve been bitten again. This time I know that if I don't build a bow soon 3/4 of my chores will go undone because I'll be day dreaming of building a bow.

The first month I was here I went looking for Goshawk nests (I'm a licensed falconer as well) with a friend.  While scrambling down a mountain side I saw a Maple tree that had just barely broke off, Probably the same week anyway.  I remember thinking how beautiful it was and hade very straight grain.  I believe I even said to myself "too bad you're not a bowyer, this would make a great bow."  I went back there this weekend and found the tree.  The truck was still standing like before but the heartwood had split off the sapwood.  The sapwood is about 1 3/8 inches thick and 7 feet long. No visible rot.  It's even shaped like a bow with tapers on either end.

The Question I have is: is it too late for this piece of maple? I believe it is Acer Glabrum.  Will it be too Brittle?  I'm not sure I want this to be my first project.  The neighbor's Mulberry is about to come down and would give me some good practice first. If not that I finally found a straight Ash that is big enough to cut and split.

Randy Hyte
Northern Utah

Justin Snyder:
Randy, it is nice to see you finally came out of the closet. ;D Welcome to the addiction.  The offer still stands, you can drive down to St. George and I'll help you out.  Cut the ash and the mulberry, but you need something that is already dry to start on now. I already told you what I think about the maple, so lets hear from some of the more experienced guys. Justin

mullet:
  I'd use the Mulberry

Pat B:
   Randy, Any wood will make a bow if the correct design is used. Maple, except for a few varieties, is marginal as a bow wood. I would venture to say that it will only discourage you more. Later, after you have a few bows under your belt, it could be a good challange for you as a bowyer.
   If you have access to ash and mulberry, Cut them and make staves and set them aside for a later date. Being that you now live in Utah where the R/H is usually pretty low, those staves will dry quicker than if you lived elsewhere.
   If you need dry wood to start a bow, just ask...or read Jawge's or the Ferret's websites for making board bows. The materials can be obtained from Home Depot, Lowe's, or any good lumber company.
   Welcome to our great site. You are now amoungst the most tallented wood bowyers in the world and every one of of us will help you as much as possible. Pat

Coo-wah-chobee:
                 Like Mullet said..............mulberry.....bob

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

Go to full version