Let's see pics of your spalted-wood bows!

[Raging Water]

Originally posted by Killdeer:
   

Morrison Arapaho        
Killdeer

Killy,

I have always admired this bow as the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is my screen saver. Boy howdy is that a nice looking bow.

Matt

[Jim Jackson]

Sometime in the not so distant future this is going to turn into a Zipper SXT:


   

[sorefingers]

Still looks great killdeer nice bow

[Ryan Sanpei]

My friends limbs from his Stalker Recurve.

[YORNOC]

Really nice, I hope there's lots more coming. I've never had spalted woods in any bows, but love it for sure. Hmmmmm, my brain is starting to work.

[EL Mejor]

SPALTED SYCAMORE,SPOILS THE MIND....WILD AND PRETTY...

[Dick in Seattle]

Spalted maple on left hand bow.  Looked a bit different in the board.  When glassed, it came out looking almost like bacote.   Wood store called it "Ambrosia Maple"... tree killed by the Ambrosia beetle.

[Archie]

Ryan, your friend's stalker looks sharp!

I have a spalted sycamore PLX on order and am trying to figure out a good riser wood to go with it.  I was thinking cocobolo, but think I might like a darker chocolate or ebony color.

[Nathan Killen]

Spalted sycamore will probably be on my next stalker !  

[Arwin]

Spalted maple riser and knife handle combo:

[hayslope]

Love those spalted woods........

I don't own a bow made from them (yet).....but one day!  I do have a few turkey calls though.....




Kathy....you already know my thoughts about your Morrison!

[Cameroo]

I'm assuming these are all fiberglass laminate bows?  I can't see spalted wood holding up to that stress without it.

[Archie]

Anyone have any pics of spalted sycamore limbs???

[Don Stokes]

To a long-time wood guy, to me spalting is not beautiful. As an independent inspector of wood products for much of my career, I have rejected wood products on numerous occasions because of this. It represents fungal attack, and by the time is shows up visually there has been a substantial strength loss, as much as 80% in some cases. I would reject a spalted bow lam as defective. It would be dangerous without the fiberglass.

Not a popular opinion, I'm sure.

[Archie]

I don't knock your opinion, Don... on the contrary, a good 'nay-sayer' often reveals a side to an issue that others aren't paying attention to.

I've got some spalted sycamore veneers going on a bow that should be done in July.  They're purely for looks, and don't contribute at all to the structural resilience of the limbs.  I like the natural way they camoflage the bow, and as a non-woodworker, I find the spalted look to be appealing.

[amar911]

Fortunately, as Archie says, the veneers are cosmetic, not structural, so spalted wood, like some other fragile veneers, only needs to look good, and to my eye it definitely does.

Allan

[wingnut]

We had a whole board of spalted curly myrtle a few years ago.  I wish I had pics.  It was the prettiest veneers I have ever done.

Mike

[amar911]

You have had a LOT of pretty wood in your bows over the years Mike!

Allan

[Elkchaser]

My Dryad Orion is spalted myrtle from you Mike.
I don't know if it"s the same board your speaking of.
I'll post some pics shortly.

[Elkchaser]

My Dryad Orion Recurve

Spalted Myrtle in the riser and limbs.