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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Zradix on January 03, 2018, 12:18:00 PM

Title: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Zradix on January 03, 2018, 12:18:00 PM

Hey Gang,

I'm thinking about taking the plunge and trying to make a self bow from a tree I cut.

The vast majority of the trees available to me are North american beech and sugar maple....with an occasional cherry thrown in.

I've read it can be hard to find a straight beech....but if I did..
What would you go with ....Sugar maple or NA Beech?

Thanks

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Wolftrail on January 03, 2018, 12:27:00 PM

Hard to believe that either Sugar maple or Beech is all thats available in your parts...?    :rolleyes:  

I would definitely go with sugar maple.

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Zradix on January 03, 2018, 12:31:00 PM

I'm just talking available to ME...as in I OWN.
Sure there are lots of other types in the area..but not in MY area.

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: BMorv on January 03, 2018, 12:43:00 PM

My vote would be maple too.  
Check out Gordon's Vine Maple build on PA website if you haven't already.  Very cool build.

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Forwardhandle on January 03, 2018, 01:11:00 PM

I dont know beech but sugar maple can make a very quick bow with the right design as long as it isnt over streesed under built  great tension and moderate compretion wood !

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Zradix on January 03, 2018, 01:14:00 PM

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES THUS FAR.

That is a good buildalong..just getting into it..will take a bit to digest. Thanks Bmorv

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 03, 2018, 02:04:00 PM

You must have hop hornbeam if you have any variety of beech around, they grow near each other quite often. Maple is okay, but not as good as elm or HHB.

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: Pat B on January 03, 2018, 04:41:00 PM

Both will make good bows but hard maple would probably be better.

Title: Re: North American beech or Sugar maple self bow?
Post by: styksnstryngs on January 03, 2018, 05:38:00 PM

Beech tends to be a little brittle.