View Full Version : Bow making woods
scouser4life
15-11-2006, 16:45
What is the best, common bow making wood. I know yew is proberly the best but these tree's seem to be miminal. Any suggestions?
Elm is good. So is ash. Without having tried it, I hear oak is good.
Elm has this nasty tendency to warp, but otherwise I'd prefer it over ash.
bent-stick
15-11-2006, 16:54
If you are talking natives:
Ash
Elm
Plum, apple, pear, cherry
Holly
Hawthorn
Probably blackthorn - but I'v never seen a bow made from it
I'm experimenting with hornbeam (not the american hop hornbeam which is a completely different tree)
Hazel tends to stay bent when you bend it so although it's durable and strong it's not really springy. Might be improved with a bit of heat. I'm playing with that too.
scouser4life
15-11-2006, 17:21
ok, with that said, should i use the thick branch or the trunk?
I don't think that matter too much. But the trunk is likely to have straighter grain and bigger growth rings, both of which are normally considered advantageous.
scouser4life
15-11-2006, 17:40
Ok thanks. Off-topic, but, is your MSN Messenger broke?
Ok thanks. Off-topic, but, is your MSN Messenger broke?
No, I don't think so. How?
Edit: You are right. Seems to be something wrong. Can't contact anyone.
I like oak....Here's a linen backed flatbow made from oak http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=15765
bent-stick
15-11-2006, 18:42
I've not come across red oak that has not been kiln dried.
Did you harvest that bit in the wild stovie?
No. It was amongst a pile of wood from a sawmill destined to be firewood....
In the end it produced a nice tiller
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/stovie/DSCF4664copy.jpg
bent-stick
15-11-2006, 19:50
Nice one. :) :) :)
My local FC woods has a fair bit of red oak, the fallen leaves look pretty at the moment. I'm praying for a blow down so I can do my civic duty and remove it to clear the path ;).
longshot
16-11-2006, 02:50
http://p081.ezboard.com/fpaleoplanet69529frm52.showMes sage?topicID=1.topic
this is a list of potential bow woods with some commentry by tim baker an accomplished bowyer.
hope this helps
dean