wax wood for bows

[NeolithicMan]

I was watching a slow motion video of a shoalin style fighter whipping a wax wood staff around and in slow motion you can really see the elastisity of the wood... anyone ever used the stuff for bows? also is wax wood just a nick name for another more common wood?

[adb]

Hmmmm.... never heard of it.

[Pat B]

I've never heard of it either unless it is wax myrtle, a shrub or Chinese tallow tree an invasive exotic growing in the south.
 IMO, neither would be good for bows.

[Wiley]

A little bit of googling turns up that Ligustrum lucidum or Glossy Privet has been used in China for pole weapons. I was able to find some bows made out of it from places where it is invasive and not protected.

Found a mention of specific gravity of 0.63. If it's really springy, and hard enough for a pole weapon, would probably make a fair bow.

[bubby]

wiley I know privet makes a good bow

[Pat B]

Japanese privet, an invasive exotic in the southern US makes good arrows and I imagine bows too. I've never tried Chinese privet but it is a common landscape plant, also exotic but not as invasive as the Japanese variety.

[NeolithicMan]

... wow, my google skills are lacking! thanks guys, just a random thought I had watching videos late last night. wouldnt mind getting a piece for a staff or bow.

[koan]

I would say if you can find a good source go for it... I will say that EVERY waxwood Bo Staff I ever had back in my Aiki M.A. Days were junk! I think those Monks have higher quality stuff than most martial arts supply houses, lol.... Brian

[NeolithicMan]

Because it seems to have good elasticity, maybe a good wood for a backing?
A thin layer over some yew, osage or cherry maybe?

all hypothetical, I know you guys will shoot me straight on this and I dont have the time or skill to jump on this quite yet.

[George Tsoukalas]

Here's a link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_wood
Jawge