Merbau?

[The Gopher]

anyone heard of this? i guess it is a tropical hardwood used for decking, wondering if it will make a bow. i saw an add for it on a website and got curious. says that it is harder than ipe.

[knightd]

It makes a decent bow!! I have only made 3 or 4 out of it and they worked well.. I would design it the same as you would a Ipe bow..

[rossfactor]

Also called Kwila or something like that.  I made a 66in 45# er  at 28 in out of  board of this stuff.  Basic pyramid design with trapped back.  Shot great but after a couple hundred shots it raised a splinter on back.  Could have been a tillering error, the wood might be a little brash or i could have been a inherent flaw in the board who knows.  You might consider a hickory or bamboo backing.

Gabe

[rossfactor]

That's the only pic of the bow I have right now.  I made it a couple years ago.

Gabe

[The Gopher]

thanks guys, you never know what wood will pop up next to try a bow, and the chances are that someone else has already done it!