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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: fling on May 08, 2015, 01:39:00 PM

Title: Wood ?
Post by: fling on May 08, 2015, 01:39:00 PM

I want to make my first self bow and I'm looking for woods that don't require chasing a ring. Can someone give me a list of woods I could use.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: Sam Harper on May 08, 2015, 02:36:00 PM

Hickory

pretty much any white wood doesn't require chasing a ring.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: Carpdaddy on May 08, 2015, 03:06:00 PM

What Sam said, white sap wood just under the bark is back if your bow. I like pig nut hickory best.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on May 08, 2015, 08:37:00 PM

I say Hickory too.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: LittleBen on May 08, 2015, 09:17:00 PM

Considering Hesperia is dry .... I don't wanna be impolite and call it a desert .... Lol, hickory would probably be my go to.

It really performs well in a dry climate. Plenty of tension strength, no ring chasing, and when kept at relatively low moisture content will be a snappy shooter.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: Pat B on May 09, 2015, 08:49:00 AM

I would also suggest hickory. Hickory, unlike other woods, loves dry climates. Hickory can take 6% M/C where most other woods need 9% to 11% or they would explode at that low M/C.
 Hickory should be cut during the growing season so the bark will peel off. If cut during the dormant season the bark will be hard to remove cleanly.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: fling on May 09, 2015, 12:38:00 PM

No one says Vine maple?

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: Pat B on May 09, 2015, 01:11:00 PM

I've never used vine maple. I have a few staves of VM but haven't gotten to use them yet.

Title: Re: Wood ?
Post by: fujimo on May 09, 2015, 02:41:00 PM

the vine maple bows i have seen, have been phenomenal shooters.
also just peel bark and build!