Hello all.

Does anyone know if myrtle is a good riser wood? I am curious about how heavy it is and how it compares to other woods such as bocote or cocobolo.

thanks,
 Tom.

It is a good riser wood,there are alot of Hill's that use it for a riser.I had a Blacktail that had a mrytle riser and myrtle book matched veneers on the limbs,it was a beautiful bow.I believe it is not as heavy as a bacote or cocobola,it is more of a medium weight wood.Some of the myrtle is kind of plain looking but some has some beautiful grain.I guess it would depend on the type of bow,a Hill with its small riser will be lighter but in a T/D recurve it had sufficent weight for me,nice balance.

Dryad does at least some part myrtle risers too (mine should be done in a couple of weeks, I hope).

Here is a comparison by density:
Ebony=1.1-1.3
Bolivian Rosewood=.82
Zebrawood=.79
Myrtlewood=.66
It is a good riser wood if combined with other wood. It is lighter in weight, but still dense. So I think it works well with other woods to help add weight which will also help with absorbing vibration="hand shock".  You see it with other heavier woods like cocobola.

Here is a bow with Myrtle and Bolivian Rosewood riser, limbs are myrtle veneers over action bamboo.  The Myrtle in the riser is more of a straight grain and a uniform color for the most part.  Tthe limbs on the other hand have alot of variation in color, from black to tan, really nice looking!!        

I have myrtle in my riser along with cocobolo, a popular combination and myrtle limb vaneers.  I was reluctant to buy a takedown model because of weight of the bow but after trying myrtle combined with a heavier wood I went ahead and ordered the above combination.  I have been very happy.  I have shot one or two all myrtle riser takedown bows they too were on the lighter side for a takedown.

myrtle is a pretty wood.  Would like to get hold of a suitable chunck but it is not so easy to find around here.
ChuckC

Mostly grows here in Oregon along the coastal range. It's hard to find here!

Myrtle Robertson Falcon

Rusty

I think I went to school with Myrtle Riser, but it's been a long time....I'll have to check the yearbook.

When I was in Gold Beach Oregon last summer, I went in a myrtlewood store where a guy was selling an absolutely stunning myrtlewood longbow which I slobbered over but could not afford. From the looks of that bow, I would say that myrtlewood makes a really cool bow.