I live in Oregon where almost 90% of the world's filberts are grown. I have heard from a man that makes bows that hazelnut limbs (filberts and hazelnuts are the same thing) make great selfbows. I was wondering if anyone has made one out of this type of wood and how it turned out. We are having a snow storm that is causing tree damage. I have seen quite a few limbs broken off. It looks like a good time to help these farmers out by asking to remove those broken limbs!

Here is a bow that I recently made from a hazelnut sucker tree.

 Hazelnut Bow

That is truly beautiful. Do you think that would be a good wood to work with for a first bow?

Yes, hazelnut is an excellent wood for those building their first bow. That is because 1) it is inexpensive and readily available (at least in the Pacific NW), 2) it is easy to work, 3) the suckers tend to be clean and knot free, and 4) it makes an excellent bow.

Snag,
John Strunk showed me a bow he made from hazelnut.  It was kind of a flatbow.  Like all John's bows it looked good.  After seeing Gordon's bow, I'd try it.  I wonder if a Lilac branch would work--that is all we lost in this snow!

Ron