Author Topic: Gnarly American hornbeam  (Read 5970 times)

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Offline jameswoodmot

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Re: Gnarly American hornbeam
« Reply #30 on: March 13, 2026, 06:55:04 am »
To avoid fretting, go wider and thinner.

sure. I can make a bow from any wood. but not the bow I want in this case  :)

Hey Simk, European hornbeam is a wood I’ve been keeping my eyes out for. What kind of size bows were you making when it was fretting?

Online simk

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Re: Gnarly American hornbeam
« Reply #31 on: March 14, 2026, 06:20:17 pm »

[Hey Simk, European hornbeam is a wood I’ve been keeping my eyes out for. What kind of size bows were you making when it was fretting?
[/quote]


Hey James, me thinks the ones  that fret were about 35mm wide and around 67"ntn - that worked well up to 40#. I'd say if you go 45mm you can get the 50#. Its good wood.

I was wondering if I could use it as a backing - I read somewehere the english bowmakers used it for backing in the victorian age. that might work, it feels like interlocking grain. however, I have made so many experiments, maybe leave that one to someone else  :)
--- the queen rules ----

Offline sleek

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Re: Gnarly American hornbeam
« Reply #32 on: April 09, 2026, 05:28:19 pm »
Congratulations on winning BOM Jim! I told ya we liked weird!
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline Jim Davis

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Re: Gnarly American hornbeam
« Reply #33 on: April 09, 2026, 10:30:16 pm »
The wood was the remarkable thing. More work in the other bows. Glad some folks liked the hornbeam. It was fun to make.
Jim Davis

Kentucky--formerly Maine