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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: inksoup on February 01, 2019, 01:05:03 PM

Title: red cedar without electric tools
Post by: inksoup on February 01, 2019, 01:05:03 PM

this guy making it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq0-dAC5lZE

Title: Re: red cedar without electric tools
Post by: Wolftrail on February 01, 2019, 02:30:13 PM

Claye Hayes does a lot Bowyering.  He has some good tips. I live in the land of Western Red Cedar, if the Eastern is anything like the western variety its to soft and weak.  But then again you can build a bow from almost any wood.

Title: Re: red cedar without electric tools
Post by: hunting badger on February 02, 2019, 12:26:35 AM

Eastern Red Cedar is actually a Juniper not a cedar. Western red cedar to too soft and brittle for bows!

Title: Re: red cedar without electric tools
Post by: Pat B on February 02, 2019, 01:11:54 PM

Eastern Red cedar will make a good bow but I'd back it with rawhide, silk or linen. You can make a good bow with just sapwood ERC. I've seen and shot one and was amazed.
You might be able to make a good bow with western red cedar but I've never done it. I know you can make arrows from it.