Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Steve Milbocker on September 07, 2010, 11:23:22 am
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I was just out back cruising my woods and noticed I have a several hop hornbeam in the 3''- 4'' range. Bigger ones seem to be rare. Are the smaller ones adequate for bows? Do you have to chase growth rings?
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Yes they will work fine,just peal the bark and there is your back.You don't have to chase a ring.Be careful when you take the bark off,you don't want to damage the back. :)
Pappy
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If they are too small to split should one just seal the ends?
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The HHB I have seen that are too small to split have also been full of branches. A 3" or 4" tree can be split into at least 4 staves. Just be sure to check the tree for spiral growth before cutting it down
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A good percentage of these are very straight, no branches for 8' or so and no spiral to the bark.
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take it for waht its worth,but i have split alot of hhb/elm and other types of interlocking grain wood
i find its best to let them sit and dry in log form for atleast 3-6 monthd,depending on log diameter
then split in half and leave sit again for 3-6 months,then quarter it
i find doing it this way keeps them from twisiting during splitting,which is common with these types of wood regarless of what
the bark pattern is,good luck