Sourwood bow?

[72shane]

Just wondering if anyone has any expirience with sourwood? I used it one time many years ago but dont really remember how it performed...i had alot going at one time. Any advise on profiles or whether or not its worth fooling with? Thanks in advance.

[Pat B]

I have seen sourwood bows but never made one. I do have a stave or two of it.

[72shane]

Anyone else have any input?

[Hillbilly]

I remember seeing one posted on here a few years ago, the guy said it was a good shooter. Never tried it, even though it's common here. I have a stave somewhere that Pat gave me, but never have worked on it yet. I would think that sourwood should make a good Wide flatbow with similar dimensions to what you would use for ash, walnut, or other medium-weight whitewoods.

[72shane]

Hillbilly, that could have been me that posted that bow. I use to post here alot then life got in the way of my bowmaking and when i got back i had to re-register. The one i did make was a flat bow but it came in light due to a hinge. What i liked most about it was the finish. Once i removed the bark, the sapwood was very pitted just like the bark. So I stained it black and then hit it with sandpaper after it dried and it had a neat sorta spotted camo. As i said its the only time i ever messed with sourwood so i dont know if it was just that particular stave or all sourwood. I'll find out soon as i just cut and split a good, straight grain stave to try.