Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: liamfilidh on September 04, 2010, 02:58:08 pm

Title: Wych Elm staves
Post by: liamfilidh on September 04, 2010, 02:58:08 pm

Hey guys;

Does anyone have a source for Wych Elm, Ulmus glabra? I want to build a Holmegaard replica and can't seem to find
any anywhere. If need be I can use Red Elm, but I'd like to use what the original bowyer used.

Thanks

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: dwardo on September 04, 2010, 05:30:23 pm

Where are you?

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: liamfilidh on September 06, 2010, 12:24:14 am

50 miles south of Denver, Colorado in Larkspur.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: dwardo on September 06, 2010, 06:39:39 am

Sorry, i am in the UK :( If you were closer i could ahve suggested a place.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: HatchA on September 06, 2010, 11:05:56 am

Any chance you'd share it with an Irishman? ;) 
Do they supply staves or sawn wood and any other types too?

Thanks,

Steve

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: Pat B on September 06, 2010, 11:13:51 am

Liam, I believe Wych Elm is a European variety of elm and would be difficult to find in the US. Other elms would be similar and yew and possibly ash would also be appropriate although not truly authentic.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: dwardo on September 06, 2010, 02:41:41 pm

Quote from: HatchA on September 06, 2010, 11:05:56 am

Any chance you'd share it with an Irishman? ;) 
Do they supply staves or sawn wood and any other types too?

Thanks,

Steve

Sorry mate its not a shop, i just have a friend with lots of wych elm on his land. I have to go shopping my self in the next few months as i have also run out.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: liamfilidh on September 07, 2010, 12:03:04 am

Believe it or not, Wych Elm grows here in the states, imported to be sure, but in the South and Midwest it's around, just not
commercially available. Thanks for your replies.

Bill

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: 1776J on December 05, 2010, 08:29:33 pm

I to would like to know if anyone here in the states has it available?  I was hoping that I might possibly find some to make an ELB from?
Any updates fellas???

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: Pat B on December 05, 2010, 08:58:55 pm

1776J, the American elms will work for an ELB style bow.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: 1776J on December 05, 2010, 09:21:37 pm

Sounds good Pat.  I've read differentiating thoughts on Wych Elm vs. American Elm,.... for some reason (who knows, maybe just personal bias??) it seems Wych Elm appears more favorable?
I'm assuming they both have the same fiber characteristics though?

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: Pat B on December 05, 2010, 11:52:57 pm

Wych elm may be more favorable but I think availability trumps that!  ;D  I believe Marc St Louis has made ELBs with elm and maybe a heavy was bow.

Title: Re: Wych Elm staves
Post by: 1776J on December 06, 2010, 01:57:34 am

Just looked him up online,... great bowyer!