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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Fishinglink on June 08, 2019, 08:28:27 AM

Title: Ash for a bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 08, 2019, 08:28:27 AM

So living in Michigan we don’t have an excess of great bow woods but we do have ash. I have a line on some ash for cheap/free. Looking at a couple logs 6-8’ long 6-8” in diameter. He’s got seasoned and green available. The pieces I looked at last night had stupid straight grain and zero knots (split cord for fire wood)

Will it make a selfbow? Do I need to back it?

Bottom line is it worth it?

Thanks guys.


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Title: Re: Ash for a bow
Post by: Forwardhandle on June 08, 2019, 09:34:51 AM

I know white ash is good for self bows I have a 5 year old clean stave hanging I have never made a bow of it but know others who have !

Title: Re: Ash for a bow
Post by: canopyboy on June 08, 2019, 11:44:36 AM

I made my first bow out of a piece of ash. I made it too narrow and learned a lot about hinges, string follow and such, but it still shoots. I don't think you have to back it, but keep it a bit wide if you don't want too much set. I think it lands with a lot of the other "white woods" in the TBB.

Title: Re: Ash for a bow
Post by: Pat B on June 08, 2019, 12:00:39 PM

Lots of ash bows have been made over the years. I personally have had bad luck with ash fretting but I'm sure that me. You will have to be careful while tillering but ash can make a fine bow and you should not need to back it.

Title: Re: Ash for a bow
Post by: Mad Max on June 08, 2019, 07:26:15 PM

It turned out to be a really nice shooter.
It can make a good bow. Here's one I made

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=53621.0