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Author Topic: River Birch?  (Read 5858 times)

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Offline Bowyer2906

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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
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Nick

Offline Pat B

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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
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Bowyer2906

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

Nick
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Nick

Offline dismount

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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
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Offline sailordad

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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
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Offline JackCrafty

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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
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Offline OldBow

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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.

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Offline David Long

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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
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NW Montana

Offline Auggie

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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......
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Offline stickbender

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Re: River Birch?
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2008, 11:59:19 pm »

     Socks with your sandals?  Tourist!

                                  Wayne
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