Author Topic: Curly Maple?  (Read 214 times)

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Offline sleek

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Curly Maple?
« on: March 20, 2026, 10:29:51 pm »
Anyone have any experience with using curly maple as a self bow or laminate?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Curly Maple?
« Reply #1 on: Today at 02:28:55 am »
Yes! - they all fretted right at the curls... 
Frank from Germany...

Offline stuckinthemud

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Re: Curly Maple?
« Reply #2 on: Today at 07:37:19 am »
It'd make a beautiful riser though

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Curly Maple?
« Reply #3 on: Today at 10:31:20 am »
Sandwiched between fiberglass lams it would be OK.

I have worked very curly maple in a number of flintlock stocks, the dark curls are usually very hard wood but the lighter wood between the curls is soft and often splintery, not a good combination for bows.

I have never tried to make a bow out of curly maple so I am only speculating about it's bow making property's from what I have seen putting while a chisel and gouge to the wood.

Offline mmattockx

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Re: Curly Maple?
« Reply #4 on: Today at 12:30:12 pm »
It'd make a beautiful riser though

+1. In a low stress area of the riser it would look great, but I can't imagine trying to bend it with the swirling grain patterns.


Mark

Offline Pat B

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Re: Curly Maple?
« Reply #5 on: Today at 02:07:21 pm »
I think Clint(Osage outlaw) built one a few years ago. Maybe he'll chime in.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC