« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Ash for bow wood  (Read 1838 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Dean Marlow

  • Member
  • Posts: 531
Ash for bow wood
« on: October 05, 2012, 02:43:24 pm »
Guys was wondering what you think of Ash for making selfbows. I got several real good trees here and was wondering if I should cut a couple this winter or leave them alone. These are white ash. Also do you treat it like Hickory for dimensions ect. Dean
Logged

Offline rossfactor

  • Member
  • Posts: 805
  • Humboldt County CA
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2012, 02:49:52 pm »
I have really enjoyed making some bows with Ash.  Responds very well to heat. Strong in tension. I think there is lots of variability between ash species.  I believe white ash is better than Oregon Ash, but both make bows. I've heard (total hear-say alert!) that ash growing in swampy areas is the best.

Gabe
Logged
Humboldt County CA.

Offline dwardo

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,456
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2012, 04:32:27 pm »
Made quite a few from our native UK ash. Varies a lot as said and definitely better in tension than compression. Recently managed to chrystal an ash bow that was too short too heavy and not wide enough.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2012, 06:11:29 pm by dwardo »
Logged

Offline Dean Marlow

  • Member
  • Posts: 531
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2012, 04:37:16 pm »
Like I said mine is white ash. In the flat bow design what do you recommend  in width ect. Bows in the 66" length area. Dean
Logged

Offline rossfactor

  • Member
  • Posts: 805
  • Humboldt County CA
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2012, 04:40:51 pm »
I'd build it stiff handle, 1 7/8" at the fades, with pyramid or an Eiffel tower width taper to a 3/8 inch tip. Narrow and stiff for the outer 1/3 limb, with a gentle recurve to help string angle.

Gabe
Logged
Humboldt County CA.

Offline DarkSoul

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,315
    • Orion Bows
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 04:57:13 pm »
Run a search for "ash" to get an infinite amount of tips and tricks that have been posted about ash in the past.
Logged
"Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu."
Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286

Offline dwardo

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,456
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2012, 06:12:50 pm »
Quote from: Dean Marlow on October 05, 2012, 04:37:16 pm
Like I said mine is white ash. In the flat bow design what do you recommend  in width ect. Bows in the 66" length area. Dean

I would push up to 68 and 2 inch fades and go from there. If you get a nice bit and it behaves then pike it.
Logged

Offline Dean Marlow

  • Member
  • Posts: 531
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2012, 06:42:18 pm »
Sounds good fellows. Thanks for the info. Dean
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »