Author Topic: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood  (Read 2371 times)

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Offline bigcountry

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Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« on: October 13, 2009, 02:16:29 pm »
I know its been discussed a few times.  But I am interested in building a slippery elm bow or red elm.  Does sapwood on elm work like yew sapwood?  Should it be thinned to like 1/4" or less?
« Last Edit: October 13, 2009, 02:24:26 pm by bigcountry »
Westminster, MD

Offline M-P

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Re: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2009, 03:09:08 pm »
Elm is a white wood ( for bow making purposes.)   Just take off the bark start tillering.     Ron
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Offline snedeker

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Re: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2009, 03:39:49 pm »
Yeah like he said.  In other words, best case scenario is ALL sapwood with these.

Dave

Offline Hillbilly

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Re: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2009, 07:34:33 pm »
I've made a couple slippery elm bows, and I used the ring under the bark. Pretty good wood.
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Offline bigcountry

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Re: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2009, 11:08:58 pm »
Thanks guys, I was under the assumption that you wanted to use mostly heart wood.  I read a build along somewhere where they thinned the sapwood. 

Appreciate the info.
Westminster, MD

Offline billy

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Re: Slippery or Red Elm Sapwood
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2009, 12:10:36 am »
Only time I've ever heard of the sapwood being thinned is on yew.  All sapwood elm bows shoot great.  I also have a hickory longbow that is all sapwood....and it is the fastest bow I've ever made.  It outshoots all my osage bows. 
Marietta, Georgia