White oak opinions

[Shondy55]

hey guys, im going to start making a bow out of a white oak board.  I'm trying to get it done soon so i can hunt with it.  do you have any suggestions on what style of bow i should make? i was thinking something around 60inches. any suggestions?? thanks!!

[k-hat]

I would verify first that it is definitely white oak.  If it is, then you can treat it like hickory from what I hear.  I think it actually breaks after hickory, but is prone to set.  I think 60" would be pushing it for a stiff-handle (would get an inordinate amount of set, assuming 28" draw), but for bendy-handle you're good to go.  I would go with a more eastern woodlands style, keep the width around 1.75 - 2" (maybe as narrow as 1.5")for at least half the limb length, then taper the width to about 3/8" or 1/2" nocks.  Slight belly taper from fade to where the width starts to taper.  My 2cents

Oh, i would also give the belly a good tempering.

[Stefan]

I never worked with white oak but I would make a simple pyramid design. I would make the bow longer but I don't know your drawlength.

I think if you tell us your drawlength and drawweight we can help you better.

[Shondy55]

i draw right around 29inch

[Denham Archer]

K-hat nailed it . . . a bend in the handle D bow!  I'd make it about 68 or 69 inches just to be on the safe side.  I love the oaks!  I made a bend in the handle white oak bow for my pastor who is 5'4".  I tuned it to his 26 in draw length, going to 27 inches in case he hiccuped.  The bow was 64 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, and pulled 45 lbs . . . His son who is a tad over six feet tall drew it . . . Yup, you guessed it - SNAP!!!  Anyway . . . yes white oak makes a fine bow!

[bubby]

i use it all the time, you can go bendy handle, or for a 29" draw 64" ntn, 1 3/4" wide at the fades down to half inch tip', stiff handle pyramid style bow, 4" handle, 2" fades with a straight thickness taper, i cut my pyramids out on a tablesaw, back against the fence, thickness of just under 1/2" and cut just to the start of the fades, then i finish the rest of the cuts on a band saw, this should easilly get you a hunting weight bow of 50# plus, good luck whatever style ya go with, Bub

[Josh B]

I have yet to be disappointed by white oak, board or stave.  Heat tempering really brings out its potential.  Josh

[H Rhodes]

I think you will be fine with a 62-64" long bow with a stiff handle.  Give it a slow, thorough heat treating on the belly and induce a couple inches of reflex to the limbs as you heat it, and you will be surprised what a fine bow white oak will produce.  The stuff won't break unless you do something outrageous to it..

[George Tsoukalas]

Good bow wood. Very hard to break. Double your draw and add 20% and a bend in the handle bow is a good way to start. hr, how did you measure your draw length? My site has bow making info. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

[H Rhodes]

I measured mine by drawing an arrow and having someone mark the arrow at the back of the bow.  I then measure from the deepest part of the arrow nock to the mark on the arrow.