PNW Elderberry Bow

[Doug509]

Harvested this stave of PNW Elderberry about 1 year ago.  Sealed the ends and removed some belly wood and it was dry by end of summer.  Its my next project.  Handle is 1.6" (40mm).  75" overall  length. 

[bjrogg]

I don’t know anything about elderberry, but I’m imagining a pretty bow.

Bjrogg

[Doug509]

Debarked, handle  established & limbs ready for tillering. Length reduced to 71" .  The pith groove is about 10mm and creates a hole in the handle.  Pretty easy way to make a hollow limb bow.

[Doug509]

Bjrogg my first time with Elderberry.  Supposed to be decent bow wood.  This stuff is easy to dry.  Easy to rasp.  Doesnt really like my cabinet scrapers.  Feels low density like balsa wood.  Will see how this goes.

[Pappy]

That's going to be an interesting piece of wood to work on, should be unique if it works out. Looking forward to seeing it as you move along.
 Pappy

[bentstick54]

Very interesting. I will definitely be watching this.

[jameswoodmot]

yep super interesting, Got plenty of elder around me but i've never cut any. looking forward to seeing what you do!

[GlisGlis]

Elderberry is good bow wood but I had some that probably went too dry and exploded in many many pieces without notice
Zero to Kaboom in no time

[superdav95]

Yup that gonna be cool. Hollow limb bows are a bit more challenging to do but same basic principle applies.  Keeping even thickness as you reduce it down and keep close eye on rounding edges as you floor tiller.  If it was me I might consider lengthening the fades a touch compared to regular flat bow.  It will be pretty if it bows. 

[Doug509]

Dimensions right now has the center of handle at 1 3/8" wide.  Arrow pass is 1 1/8".  Id like to reduce this but with a hollow core I dont want to create a thin spot or hole.

Fades end  4.5" out at 1 3/8" wide. I could extend the fades from 4.5 to 6 or 8".

Upper limb remains 1 3/8" wide then tapers last 14" to tips.  Lower limb at mid limb is 1 1/2" wide. 

The depth of wood with center pith removed ranges from 8 to 10 mm.

[Del the cat]

Elderberry is good bow wood but I had some that probably went too dry and exploded in many many pieces without notice
Zero to Kaboom in no time

+1
Del

[Jim Davis]

Probably generate some sputtering over this, but, the forces at work in a hollow limb bow include the tendency to spread and flatten the U shaped cross section.  If the wood splits easily, it will.

There are exceptional woods and exceptional  staves, but that's what is at work in a hollow limb bow.

[bassman211]

In my town growing up elderberries grew every were. We used to pick them,and sale them to jelly makers. Our bows were made from the bush branches. We would just bend the whole branch, and use lengths of kite string. They would bend a long ways before they broke, and with golden rod shafts we had a lot of fun shooting them. They never got any were near the size of your stave. Good luck.

[Doug509]

Im betting its going to go Kaboom!  I'll see this to the end and report back.  Fun times at bow school.