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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Wandering Archer on January 23, 2015, 11:44:00 PM

Title: citrus wood?
Post by: Wandering Archer on January 23, 2015, 11:44:00 PM
Does anyone know if you can use citrus wood to make bows? I just trimmed my lemon tree and got 3 fairly straight pieces of 2-3" logs about 5.5" feet long.

As I understand it, wood from a lemon tree isn't "lemonwood",so I'm curious if anyone has ever made a bow from citrus wood. If so, does it need to be backed?
I'm thinking I'd like to find someone to make a couple youth bows out of them if possible, for my daughters, and maybe do a partial trade for whatever is left.

What do you guys think? Is it worth spending the money on, or should I just use it as firewood?

Also, is it best to dry it out, or should I find someone to make them while they are still green?

P.S. I don't have the time or the skillz to make them myself, so save your breath. I would love to if I had the time, but that's not possible at this point in my life.
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: mikkekeswick on January 24, 2015, 02:11:00 AM
A stave HAS to be seasoned to make a finished bow from it.
Yes any fruit wood will make a bow.
No reason to back them unless you've damaged the wood.
You should seal the ends straight away with paraffin wax, wood glue, paint or similar.
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: Pat B on January 24, 2015, 08:39:00 AM
I heard of a few sour orange bows from Florida. The best way to find out is to make one...and I didn't use any breath typing this.    :D
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: fujimo on January 24, 2015, 11:12:00 AM
dunno...still...holding...mine...   :mad:
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: Wandering Archer on January 26, 2015, 12:40:00 AM
alright, thanks guys.
I'll seal them and let them sit and try and find someone to make something for me.

You might not have used any breath Pat, but I bet your fingers are tired from all that extra typing...  ;)
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: Pat B on January 26, 2015, 09:37:00 AM
Nick, at least split them in half ad seal the ends.
Title: Re: citrus wood?
Post by: fujimo on January 26, 2015, 01:37:00 PM
cool leatherwork- very neat!