« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: River Birch?  (Read 5924 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Bowyer2906

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
River Birch?
« on: December 01, 2008, 09:03:59 pm »
Who has built bows from this wood? Small diameter trees or large. I can get some good trees but they are small, 3-6 inches in diameter. All opinions and ointers appreciated!

Nick
Logged
Nick

Offline Pat B

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 37,667
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2008, 10:49:27 pm »
Birch isn't the best bow wood but a pretty good bow can be built with birch. I'm not familiar with build bows with River Birch but I have with Sweet Birch.  Trees 3" to 6" will be fine.    Pat
Logged
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Bowyer2906

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2008, 06:57:19 pm »
Thanks Pat. I am cutting them tomorrow.

Nick
Logged
Nick

Offline dismount

  • Member
  • Posts: 127
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2008, 11:26:46 pm »
I've tried a bow from my river birch I lost to 5''of ice last Dec. It doesn't split. Its like some elms. You have to saw a stave out of the trunk. Also the wood just didn't feel right so I heated the house with it.   Dismount
Logged

Offline sailordad

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,045
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2008, 11:28:19 pm »
heck if the grain in intertwined like elm i would definatly give it a try,may be some work to split it but might be worth it
Logged
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Offline JackCrafty

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 5,631
  • Sorry Officer, I was just gathering "materials".
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2008, 10:56:48 am »
I tried making a bow from sweet birch once and broke it on the tillering stick.  The wood seems nice and stiff, though.  Should make a good flat bow (mine was a bit too narrow and thick)....will probably try again someday. ;D
Logged
Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Bellows Falls, Vermont
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline OldBow

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,216
  • I'm just an old retired biology teacher.
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2008, 12:04:40 pm »
I've had win "some/lose some" with this wood.
The attached picture is one of my very first bows, ever. I haven't shot it for years but it was and is still a decent bow. But it is made from a billet of river birch and one of hawthorne >:D
In general, I think it is too soft. Makes great arrow shafts, though.
Very common around here.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Logged
When you're retired, every day is Saturday

Offline David Long

  • Member
  • Posts: 134
  • Only dead fish swim with the stream.
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2008, 07:06:14 pm »
That's a truly determined man who uses limbs of two woods in one bow! That's inspiring Don.  :) Where there's a way you've got the will. Dave
Logged
NW Montana

Offline Auggie

  • Member
  • Posts: 652
  • redneck engineer
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2008, 07:13:00 pm »
Only real men wear socks with thier sandals!! I however keep the birch stacked by the wood stove......
Logged
laugh. its good for ya

Offline stickbender

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,828
Re: River Birch?
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2008, 11:59:19 pm »

     Socks with your sandals?  Tourist!

                                  Wayne
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »