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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: gringol on November 09, 2012, 09:30:00 AM

Title: citrus bow-staves?
Post by: gringol on November 09, 2012, 09:30:00 AM
I found some wild grapefruit and orange trees in the swamp the other day and am wondering if anyone has tried making a bow out of a citrus stave.  There are a few that look remarkably straight and knot-free...
Title: Re: citrus bow-staves?
Post by: Pat B on November 10, 2012, 12:51:00 AM
I have heard that the sour orange trees make good bows. Give what you have found a try and give us a report.
 Other FLA woods, like sea grape and mangrove also make good bows. Be careful where you get either of these as they might be protected in the wild.
Title: Re: citrus bow-staves?
Post by: gringol on November 12, 2012, 07:38:00 AM
Yeah, pat, mangrove is protected.  I'll give the citrus a try.  I assume it should be treated as a white wood...
Title: Re: citrus bow-staves?
Post by: Pat B on November 12, 2012, 09:31:00 AM
Yes, I believe it should but I have never built a bow from it.