Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: radius on June 23, 2009, 11:29:13 pm

Title: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: radius on June 23, 2009, 11:29:13 pm

anybody tried these as a bow wood?  i found a chunk of black poplar yesterday i could make 2 bows from...but poplar????

on vancouver island, apparently, we have honey locust, i just need to locate some...and we have sugar maple, too...

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: adb on June 24, 2009, 12:56:01 pm

Locust and maple are excellent bow woods. Actually, maple is quickly becoming one of my favourites. I know poplar has been used, but keep it very wide (like 2-3" at the fades) and a pyramid design to minimize set.

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: sailordad on June 24, 2009, 06:23:02 pm

keep in mind NOT all maples are good blow woods.
it needs to be a hard maple.the softer maples are like any other mediocre wood,mediocre
dont know about the poplar,but the poplar in mt area is too soft in my opinion.i wont even take it when its free and already cut

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: radius on June 24, 2009, 08:05:35 pm

the maple that grows here is hard maple, so that's good stuff...but today i found a stand of yew anyway, so i'm taking offers...

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: sailordad on June 24, 2009, 08:37:14 pm

YEW huh, i like yew ;)

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: radius on June 24, 2009, 08:46:08 pm

i like yew too, sailordad...and since you helped me out that time, i'm gonna make you an offer:  you pay the shipping and i'll send you a stave

Title: Re: black poplar or horse chestnut?
Post by: sailordad on June 24, 2009, 08:47:49 pm

sweet dude ;D
just let me know how much