« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Good Bow - Bad Bow?  (Read 2751 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Drewster

  • Member
  • Posts: 687
Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« on: September 23, 2016, 12:58:43 pm »
This little hickory is growing near my house and I've looked at it for several years wondering if it will make a good bow.  It's about 5" diameter at the base.  I think the bigger tree fell across this hickory about ten years ago and the hickory has been growing in this position ever since.

Has anyone made a bow from a sapling like this?  Any advice?  Would appreciate any help.

Logged
Drew - Boone, NC

Offline SLIMBOB

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,759
  • Deplorable Slim
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2016, 01:20:41 pm »
Cant speak for Hickory specifically, but generally with any wood I have worked....I love me some natural backset, but I have found them harder to keep together, the more backset the more likely they have been to break during the build.  Still...love me some natural backset.  I would prefer it on the tension side.
Logged
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline George Tsoukalas

  • Member
  • Posts: 9,425
    • Traditional and Primitive Archers
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2016, 01:29:02 pm »
I've made many sapling bows but they were straight growing trees. Jawge
Logged
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline Lee Lobbestael

  • Member
  • Posts: 465
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2016, 01:32:20 pm »
Yup I think that should work fine! Make sure you get it good and dry. Hickory holds onto moisture
Logged

Offline bradsmith2010

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,187
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2016, 01:42:41 pm »
maybe just pull a bit of the reflex out by clamping it down to cure,,,,
I do like the natural reflex,,
Logged

Offline willie

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,178
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2016, 03:11:32 pm »
good question. could you get two staves from that tree?    Maybe make a deflex-reflex each stave.

bend the handle into deflex on the shady side stave, and bend the tips into reflex on the sunny side stave.
Logged

Offline sleek

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,681
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2016, 03:37:51 pm »
Quote from: willie on September 23, 2016, 03:11:32 pm
good question. could you get two staves from that tree?    Maybe make a deflex-reflex each stave.

Thats what I would do. And make em wide and short with a deep narrow handle shaped to fit the hand perfectly.

bend the handle into deflex on the shady side stave, and bend the tips into reflex on the sunny side stave.
Logged
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline PatM

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,737
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2016, 04:36:20 pm »
If you had cut it just a couple of years after it got bent it would have had a naturally applied  Perry reflex backing.  ;)
Logged

Offline Pat B

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 37,496
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2016, 05:22:30 pm »
Drew, I'd cut the tree and find the optimum stave(s) in it's length. Too much reflex adds a lot of stress to a stave just getting it to brace. When I add reflex to a stave I use a 2x4 block(3 1/2") and raise the tips to that. It usually comes out of the form with 2" to 3" and a flat or slightly reflexed stave when shot in.
 The heavily bent area could be made into billets and reflex reduced at glue up.
Logged
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline ---GUTSHOT--->

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,310
Re: Good Bow - Bad Bow?
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2016, 08:27:09 pm »
I cut a 6" Osage Tay grew at a angle its core was right next to the bark on the lower side. The top Sid was a lot of sap wood and when I split it , it started twisting. Ended up fire wood. But the hickory could be ok
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »