Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Scrub_buck on February 11, 2010, 08:08:43 pm

Title: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Scrub_buck on February 11, 2010, 08:08:43 pm

I got these two logs of dogwood today from a friends's farm.  They are 70 inches and about 10 and 12 inches in diameter.  There are a few knots ... but nothing too bad.  All in all, I think they are pretty good pieces of wood.  I'll have to see how bad the knots are when the bark comes off.

Scrub

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Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: DanaM on February 11, 2010, 08:13:04 pm

i want some ;D sweet ;D

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: gmc on February 11, 2010, 08:35:32 pm

Looks great, best of luck.

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: sulphur on February 11, 2010, 09:12:35 pm

i am not familiar with that wood.  looks like i have some around though.  How is it for bows????

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: sweeney3 on February 11, 2010, 10:06:11 pm

Sulfer,

Dogwood is really high in tension.  Might be tougher than hickory.  Pretty darn good wood.  You can treat it about like hickory.  That stuff just about doesn't break.

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: nclonghunter on February 11, 2010, 10:37:56 pm

May be some arrow shafts in there too...

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: sulphur on February 11, 2010, 11:55:44 pm

anyone got a better pic of the bark or leaves.  i am almost certain i have several of those around.   

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Pat B on February 12, 2010, 12:59:02 am

If the logs are fresh split them at least in half and give them a few weeks to acclimatize before you do anything else. Once you split them seal the ends well and store them in the dry.
  Ideally(lot less work) you want the wood right under the bark for your bow back so when the time comes work gingerly to remove the bark.

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Pappy on February 12, 2010, 07:05:32 am

Nice haul,and what Pat said. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: radius on February 12, 2010, 07:40:42 am

good score...be patient...have fun

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Scrub_buck on February 12, 2010, 12:42:12 pm

Thanks for the tips.  I was going to try to get them split today.  Would you go ahead and take the bark off now, and seal the backs with parrafin ... or wait?

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Scrub_buck on February 12, 2010, 12:54:09 pm

BTW:  I was doing a little research on dogwood and ran into Greg Bagwell's dogwood selfbow of the month 'blossom'.  Simply breat-taking!  My limited experience probably will not let me achieve that kind of selfbowyer nirvana ... but I'll do my best.

Scrub 

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Pappy on February 12, 2010, 01:12:18 pm

I would,That would take away the chance of worms or bugs. Be gentle as Pat said not to cut into the back,right under the bark.Dogwood makes a fine bow. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Hillbilly on February 12, 2010, 02:04:30 pm

If you take the bark off, seal it good. Dogwood is one of the worst woods for checking.

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: Pat B on February 12, 2010, 02:10:55 pm

I'd leave the bark on...at least for a while. I have a stave of dogwood that Hillbilly gave me a few years ago and the bark is still on it and it is still insect free. If you are worried about bugs, spray the bark with an insecticide.

Title: Re: Bow Wood in the rough.
Post by: VenomBOWslinger on February 12, 2010, 02:30:12 pm

I would leave the bark on it too but split them into staves leave it in a clean dy place for awhile with cool air circulating around it.  I say cool cause warm to hot air will force the moisture out too quick and thats where u get those huge checks/ cracks.  Only problem which isn't that bad is the bark will dry out and it will be a pain getting it off.  Also maybe a lite layer of bark left on like a backing would look nice.

Cheers,
Russ