Dymondwood or Actionwood Riser?

[BUCKY]

My longbow now has a actionwood riser.I may soon be ordering a new bow and can get dymondwood or actionwood.I would like to hear the good and bad of both.I've heard dymondwood is more likely to crack.Is this true?

[Holm-Made]

Yes, Dymondwood is more likely to crack but still is unlikely.  Dymondwood is noticeably heavier.  DW colors are more vibrant.  Chad

[30coupe]

Dymondwood is more dense, so it does have more mass. I have it on my Kanatis and love it. They are light bows anyway and I like a slim riser (small hands), so the bit of added mass is a good thing. I also think it is more attractive. I'd go Dymondwood again given the choice.

[maxwell]

Dymondwood lots of bows never a problem.

[amar911]

It depends on how the material is used. If there are other laminations in the riser, then Dymondwood should be fine. If the riser will be a solid piece of the same material, then I would definitely go with the Actionwood. Bill Howland of Brackenbury bows won't use solid Dymondwood risers anymore because he had one break. Actionwood does not have that problem.

Allan

[wingnut]

Dymondwood is not recommended for this use by the manufacture any longer.  I know of two major bowyers that ended up replacing 15+ bows each because of delamination problems with Dymondwood.

Use it at your own risk.

Mike

[kevgsp]

Does this apply to 1 piece bows or just takedowns?

[Bjorn]

Neither-get the real wood. JMHO

[GMMAT]

Doesn't Windauer use dymonwood?  How bad can it be?

[BUCKY]

I'll stay with actionwood,thanks.

[Jason Kendall]

I have built hundred's of Dymondwood handled bows and have never had a problem, all one-piece bows though. I dont trust it for TD bows, but others have used it just fine without problems.

[Lost Creek Bows]

I've built 150 bows with it and never had one fail due to dymondwood. I use it and love working with it,has very nice colors and excellent mass weight. Just my own thoughts. Chad

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Jason Kendall:
I have built hundred's of Dymondwood handled bows and have never had a problem, all one-piece bows though. I dont trust it for TD bows, but others have used it just fine without problems.

I have two of those hundreds...no problems...I love it. Jason does add overlays to the back of the riser though.

[rjackson]

I agree with GMMAT.  If Dave uses it in his silver tips, it's good enough for me.

[Beth Windauer]

Dave here with Schafer Bows. Wanted to  interject since it is a wood that I use on about 80% plus of my bows. Paul used it back in the 80's to the time of his death in 1993 and I have continued to use it with very few problems. Without getting into the physics and properties of the wood and how it should be appropriately applied to my design or other bow designs,  I will simply say that it can be used and is used successfully by not just myself but other bowyers out there. I have worked with the manufacturer  for almost 17 years and they never have recommended it for this use. Bowyers are an extremely small market for the manufacturer so it is not a surprise that they state that or have not spent much time researching our application. I feel it is necessary to say this on behalf of bowyers that use dymondwood successfully, so their products and reputations are not tarnished from misinformation out there. Thanks for your time and best of hunting.
Dave

[Paul WA]

Dymondwood comes in many colors. I had the cocobolo on a 3pc Pronghorn without any problems...PR

[Beth Windauer]

Should have added a response to BUCKY personally since he started the thread. You mentioned ordering a new bow. I am assuming if the bowyer is offering those woods that means he feels comfortable with the properties of both in respect to his design. It then comes down to what characteristics you are looking for in a bow ie mass weight, color, hand shock and the bowyer should be able to walk you through all of that. Both good materials in my opinion. Back to work.  
Dave

[Butch NM]

Been shooting Schafers with dymondwood for over twenty years now with out a single problem. Most are stiff bows, the bow I am shooting right now is one of Mr. Brunners old recurves, 3 pc. TD. , 60" - 93# @ 291/2", so this little bow is probably a bit on the stressed side and absolutely smokes an arrow and hits right where you are lookin.Bow is probably 25 years old?? Riser is in perfect condition except for scuffs and scrapes ect.  Would trust one of Pauls and Dave and Beths dymond wood riser bows anywhere on the planet. Matter of fact , my next td recurve from Dave and Beth with be with a Dymond wood riser. Butch  NM

[bentpole]

[coaster500]

"60" - 93# @ 291/2" Holy #@(&^&%^$#%^&* Batman !!!

King Kong Bow!!!