Hazelwood warbow?

[Bearded bowyer]

Ok lords and ladies...
I'm felling three big, straight, hazel trees next week end. Has anyone out there made one?
I think I remember Del mentioning a hazel warbow I think.....
I havn't felled a tree and split it befor, so this is my plan:
Fell the tree, cut into 2 metre lengths then split it in halves and seal the ends. ( I have a spare can of quick drying lacquer I will spray over the ends)
The trees are a good 10-15cm diameter, straight as a die, with no side shoots at all. VERY tall. should get 4m out of each one.
I am as excited as a kid at Christmas about this, but don't want to mess it up.
As much help as possible very much appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

[AndiE]

Hi

Hazelwood? Where are you from?

Yes you can build great Warbows out of Hazelwood if you have good wood, but thats the big problem because real good hazel is very rare!
Thats my next projet too! Try to get very good hazelwood and build a warbow.

I read in a german forum that there is a 160#@32" hazel-warbow by Joe Gibbs. And here are the results of him with a 140# hazel: http://www.theenglishwarbowsociety.com/records2012_EN.html

Sealing is very important and you have to take of the bark before drying. Dry it 3 weeks cool first and than 1 week warm.

Kind regards
                    Andi

[WillS]

Matt, just wait until you're registered with the EWBS.  There's a whole forum section dedicated to meane wood bows, and Joe Gibbs has quite a few threads and pictures purely about hazel bows.  I'll post one here, but not sure you can view it unless you're a member?

http://theenglishwarbowsociety.com/theenglishwarbowforum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1040&sid=0fbe17b94a2d138d38142e2598738730

[Bearded bowyer]

So......
Got the hazelwood. cut it, split it ( I was surprised how easy this was!)
Then my son took over stripping the bark off it......He did a brilliant job, especially because he is only 9.
I however decided to use an old sheaf knife to do some and promptly nearly cut my finger off
5cm gash in my finger and a LOT of stri-strips later............
Its true. If you want a job done properly get a nine year old to do it........
I'm not going to be using my left hand for a while........ 

[Del the cat]

@ AndiE
Dunno why the advice to de bark it?
Hazel bark is v thin and it will help stop it drying too quick.
In the uK there is no need to remove it to prevent bugs or rot... so why???
I've made bark on Hazel bows... they look great.
The only reason I know for taking bark off early is because it's easier when it's fresh!
Please explain...
Also what constitutes 'good' Hazel as opposed to 'Bad' ?
Del

[AndiE]

Hi

The bark goes of easier when its fresh but if you want the bark on the back you can leave it there.
Quick drying is no problem with the hazelwood and if you want it dry as quick as possible than take the bark off.
If its a good or bad hazel wood you will see when the bow breaks while tillering without a damage on the bow. You can`t see the difference thats a bit the problem.

Kind regards
Andi