Siberian Elm Bow

[Hat Creek]

I have an old siberian elm which I trimmed down last spring and saved some wood for a bow.  When I split the logs there is not much heartwood in relation to the sapwood.  Once I took the stave down to a single ring I was literally left with heartwood in the handle only.  Is this common on elm or will I be making toothpicks once I start tillering it?  I am to that stage now.

[DanaM]

Not sure why you chased a ring? With elm just peel the bark and thats the back.

[El Destructo]

I have made several from Elm....and mostly Siberian....peel and start making shavings....and yes there is very little Red Wood....mostly creamy white Wood

[Hat Creek]

Not sure why you chased a ring? With elm just peel the bark and thats the back.

I didn't have a piece of good wood long enough so I took two billets and spliced them at the handle.  I only used a draw knife on the top to get a common ring between the two pieces. 

[DanaM]

The only reason to chase a ring on white wood is if the back is damaged in some way even if splicing billets.
When you peel the bark you have a common ring, for splicing you need to flatten the belly so you can make accurate sawcuts.

[Hat Creek]

Thanks for the help El Destructo and DanaM.  I have made a successful hickory bow from a board purchased from a saw mill.  This is my first attempt at making a bow from a log and appreciate your sound advice.

[Badger]

   You might like working with that elm, I am always puzzled why it isn't more popular than what it is. real high on my list as bow woods go. One thing I like about elm is you don't have to be as fussy about following the readial grain as you do on osage, I normally just saw the sides on mine out straight. I try to avoid ring violations but have gambled on crummmy staves before just flattening out the backs smooth violations and all and they seem to hold pretty well. Steve