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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: 2fletch on September 16, 2023, 09:20:25 PM

Title: Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood
Post by: 2fletch on September 16, 2023, 09:20:25 PM

Anyone ever use this wood for a bow wood? I cut some this summer, and later used a piece of it as a mallet to cut some leather. After lots of use there was very little evidence of damage. I don't make bows anymore, but curious to know if anyone here has tried it.

Title: Re: Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood
Post by: Pat B on September 17, 2023, 12:28:33 AM

Yeah, Don. I've seen a few nice crepe myrtle selfbows and some pretty heavy weight. I, myself, have not made a bow from crepe myrtle.

Title: Re: Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood
Post by: 2fletch on September 17, 2023, 03:35:42 PM

This wood surprised me with it's toughness. I cut down 4 trees to make room for other trees. I wish now that I knew then that this wood had promise. There were several trunk branches that would have been good for a self bow. It reminds me a little of Dogwood. Now that's a wood that makes Osage seem like Pine.

Pat B, if you ever get a photo of a Crepe Myrtle bow, I'd love to see it. :archer2:

Title: Re: Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood
Post by: two4hooking on September 18, 2023, 04:22:30 PM

The shoots are always very straight also on mine.  Every year when I do my pruning I think about arrow shafts from them...

Title: Re: Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood
Post by: Buck350 on September 18, 2023, 09:12:22 PM

Wow, interesting.  I never would have thought it would be that durable.  Anyone have any pics of said bows?