If this is the Rich P I think it is, long time since we talked! Nice to hear from you! Did not know you were into bows, but it figures. I have several places I can cut my own if I ever get time to run out to the lake farm. Might get access to some huge old hedge also! The limbs on the one would make close to thirty 72 inch half limb staves!
A farmer down the road a ways has two black locust trees standing out in the edge of a cow pasture. I might see if I can make myself usefull and cut that out of his pasture for him. They look to be about 12 to 15 inches after the bark is removed.
I am learning. I cut a HL stave at dark yesterday just to have something to be whittling on. I sealed the ends, but I did not remove the bark. It is about a 5-6 inch piece with no limb knots that doesn't look too twisted. It does have a pretty good curve to it. I was going to remove the bark tonight, but it is raining. It may not be good bow wood, but it is good enough to hand me a couple more lessons!
At the prices some folks want for staves, I thought real hard about offering my friend 60$ for the 3 inch thick board and then hoping to make several bows out of it. I called a guy that advertises hedge, but he wanted 125$ a stave. Was a short conversation. There are two nice staves in the board facing outwards towards the sides.
I am hoping to find something nice, but at this point, I would have to put it back for a while until my skills and understanding get better.
Thanks for the help guys!
