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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Jason Kendall on March 10, 2011, 04:29:00 PM

Title: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 10, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
If you were to purchase a new bow would it be worth $25 more to you for a Dymondwood handle section over an Actionwood handle? Both come in a variety of colors with the Actionwood more readily available. In my opinion the Dymondwood looks a little fancier but for a hunting bow I am not sure it's worth it so I am asking your opinion.

Is Dymondwood to you, worth the extra $25 over actionwood? Yes or No
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Stumpkiller on March 10, 2011, 04:58:00 PM
I had to look up each to see the difference and it just seemed the Dymondwood had more vibrant (aka "plastic") colors.  I'd pay a premium to get a more solid "I" beam style riser and avoid the plywood look entirely.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 10, 2011, 05:04:00 PM
There have been issues with certain colours of Dymondwood in the past.

Actionwood, although not as attractive, is a long proven quantity.

I will include some pics.

yes, please include pics but make sure they're no wider than 640 - thanx!

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/005-1.jpg[/IMG]

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Lost Creek Bows on March 10, 2011, 05:09:00 PM
I like and use Actionwood.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 10, 2011, 05:10:00 PM
Oh crap, forgot to resize so it will get booted.

ACS riser is black dymonwood I guess with a beaver tail wrap.

Jeffery riser is black actionwood.

I will think twice about hunting with the ACS just because of its cost.

I consider the Jeffery to be my knock around bow. It will one day be in my vehicle at all times.

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 10, 2011, 05:12:00 PM
Yep, I have built hundreds on bows with each and I keep going back to Dymondwood for the looks but I thought I would ask others opinions. The new SpectraPly Onyx (Actionwood) looks pretty nice though!
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Lamey on March 10, 2011, 05:37:00 PM
The first thing I would do is really test the 2 for any differences, weight, moisture resistance, strength etc. would all be considerations.

If all is equal I would save the $25.   If the dymondwood is considerabley better in any way I would pay the extra.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Java Man on March 10, 2011, 05:40:00 PM
Dymondwood all the way.  But then I use only two colors.  I like the extra mass.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Guru on March 10, 2011, 05:42:00 PM
I voted yes because I like the little bit of added weight that Dy-wood gives as well...
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 10, 2011, 05:45:00 PM
I do get 4 to 5oz more weight out of my bows with Dymondwood.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: SS Snuffer on March 10, 2011, 05:56:00 PM
Jason
Everyone thats shoot my bow loves the grip the quitness and the speed but sometimes I wish it was just a little more fancy, something to dress it up just a bit or set, it apart from the others. I know its a "huntin bow" and its my go to bow and aways will be but just the same. By the way Iv'e shot my last 4 deer with this bow. Ya Dymondwood would be better.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: gobblegrunter on March 10, 2011, 06:02:00 PM
I voted no. I don't see enough difference between the two to warrant paying the extra $$. Aside from that, I've heard that there can sometimes be problems down the road with dymondwoods delaminating...  :dunno:
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Molson on March 10, 2011, 06:44:00 PM
I like dymondwood on longbow risers and actionwood on recurve risers.  Since I shoot longbows, I'd pay more for dymondwood.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 10, 2011, 06:49:00 PM
Delaminating Dymondwood is no longer an issue as far as I am concerend. I have had 2 develop cracks in the last 11 years of using it. I dont know how many bows that would be as I didnt keep good records back then but it's several hundered. I had some crack just sitting on the shelf but that was at the time Rutland (the mfg) over cooked a batch from what I hear.

The one real nice thing about actionwood is after cutting a bunch of it my shop smells like wood! Dymondwood, not so much   :D

I do appreciate everyones thoughts on the matter! Keep those opinions coming.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: BWD on March 10, 2011, 06:50:00 PM
Just had a 7-Lakes blank made with actionwood with a 1/4" strip of phenolic running thru it, due to what I have heard about possible delamination problems with dymondwood. Don't know enough to know how much of a potential problem exist.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: RLA on March 10, 2011, 06:58:00 PM
The riser of my go to recurve is made of Dymondwood from Rutland Ply Co.  The D-woods used in it are called haritage walnut & haritage midnight. I think they look pretty good and I like the added weight.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: BUCKY on March 10, 2011, 07:53:00 PM
I now own one of each from Jason and I am a actionwood fan.The 4 or 5 oz. is hardly noticable.Actionwood looks more like real wood then Dymondwood.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: BUCKY on March 10, 2011, 07:54:00 PM
I now own one of each from Jason and I am a actionwood fan.The 4 or 5 oz. is hardly noticable.Actionwood looks more like real wood then Dymondwood.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: jacobsladder on March 10, 2011, 07:59:00 PM
i have dymond wood in my 3 pc longbow riser....wouldnt have or order anything else and would pay 100.00 more for the dymondwood.....really like the added weight..i own a jim jones firefly....hopefully jim is not reading this, because he's building another riser for me right now...  :D
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Friend on March 10, 2011, 08:13:00 PM
Since I prefer a heavier riser, I always avoid actionwood as well as other light woods no matter their beauty.

Dymondwood runs from 60-75 #'s/cu ft and within the range of the heavies that I strongly prefer.
4-5 ounces is significant to me and the price difference is not a question. I am not made of money and normally have to rat hole money to fund a bow. My objective is to own a bow that meets and/or exceeds my expectations. Dymondwood is the only choice for me.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 11, 2011, 10:08:00 AM
Okay here is the resized pic.

(http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/005-1.jpg)

The nice thing about my Dymondwood ACS riser, apart from the beavertail grip, is that they no longer are made that way. And there never was an issue with delamination of the black or grey anyway.

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: NewtoTrad2008 on March 11, 2011, 10:44:00 AM
I would have to say dymondwood, since that is what you are making me.   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Zradix on March 11, 2011, 11:40:00 AM
I know dymond wood is used on quality bows.

I wouldn't want it my bow since the manufacturer says the "plastic" in the dymondwood loosens up at normal bow oven temps.

And since smoothon says their glue actually strengthens it's bond with heat ( NOT just cure faster ) I want to bake the bow.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 11, 2011, 07:07:00 PM
Thanks for all the input guys, I have some thinking to do!
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 14, 2011, 03:35:00 PM
Needed a couple of more pics for another thread on leather grips so I thought I would post them here as well.

The more I look at that Dymondwood riser the more I appreciate it, so yes I would pay extra for it.

(http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/015-1.jpg)

(http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab54/damascusdave_2009/014.jpg)

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 14, 2011, 04:10:00 PM
Seems like this is my time to make a liar out of myself. Just got off the phone with Larry Hanify from A & H and my riser is made with a product called Dymalux, so it is neither.

And yes I would pay extra for Dymalux.

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 14, 2011, 05:26:00 PM
No one could pay ME enough to use Dymalux  :D

I tried that stuff, its more toxic than anything I have ever used, its made in Pakistan so who knows what they use for chemicals in it. Others dont seem to mind it but it is way too nasty for me to work with.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jedimaster on March 14, 2011, 06:29:00 PM
I like dymondwood.  Have had bows made of both and prefer dymondwood every time.  Looks better & feels better IMHO. If I wanted a bow that looked more like real wood I'd order one made out of real wood   :)  I know that isn't an option you could provide Jason, which is just fine - I like the Kanati as is.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 14, 2011, 06:57:00 PM
I sure wish I could Danny, some of the real woods are very pretty.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: K. Mogensen on March 14, 2011, 07:51:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Jason Kendall:
No one could pay ME enough to use Dymalux   :D  

I tried that stuff, its more toxic than anything I have ever used, its made in Pakistan so who knows what they use for chemicals in it. Others dont seem to mind it but it is way too nasty for me to work with.
I've heard of a lot of people that don't like that stuff at all. Just smells too bad.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: damascusdave on March 15, 2011, 08:43:00 AM
Kinda reminds me of a bunch of Chinese bungee cords we got in at the hardware I worked at. Those things stunk up the whole store for months.

DDave
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Jason Kendall on March 15, 2011, 04:04:00 PM
:D  

Dymalux appears to be a good product, I think a lot of people will use it if they can stand the smell.

I have been cutting some Dymondwood today and after an hour or so of that, I really like the smell of Actionwood the best.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Lost Creek Bows on March 15, 2011, 05:50:00 PM
I've worked with all three products, and Actionwood for me.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Canadabowyer on March 15, 2011, 09:50:00 PM
I like real wood best but if I need a ply product it will be Actionwood. I just can't stand the smell of that plastic stuff.
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: BWD on March 15, 2011, 10:14:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Jason Kendall:
 :D  

Dymalux appears to be a good product, I think a lot of people will use it if they can stand the smell.  
Is dymalux what you referred to as camel dung stuff a while back?
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Shawn Leonard on March 15, 2011, 10:16:00 PM
Yes for the added weight and I think D-wood is prettier for some reason! Also 4-5 ounces in a bow is definitely noticable!!  Shawn
Title: Re: Actionwood or Dymondwood
Post by: Lost Creek Bows on March 16, 2011, 02:12:00 AM
Dymalux is the camel dung, if not worse. I have three rise blocks left in charcoal ,that I don't even want to use it smells so bad. Chad