Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: HoBow on November 21, 2010, 11:15:41 am
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I've read of people doing all sap wood, all heartwood and a mixture of both for making black walnut bows. The staves I have now- as is- would basically give me an all sap wood bow with some heartwood coming into the handle area. I would like to do a very thin sap layer on the back with most of the limbs being heartwood, but can not see any discernible growth rings on the sap wood. Should I just thin it where I want it and back with rawhide? Do I need to have the sap wood at one growth ring? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
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i would thin it and back it with raw hide if you cant find a discernible ring
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Also, I've read you can steam the sap wood into turning brown like the heartwood- anyone have experience with this?
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Jeff i dont know if it would apply here but comstoc says to build a short test bow [doesnt have to be elaborate] out of the wood your using . you might try doing what you are talking about just to see if a back like that will work. may be some one with more experience with walnut will chime in. i thinned the white wood down on red cedar like your talking about and made my grandson a 58" 40# bow and it is still going after ALOT of shooting. let us know how it works out if you try it.
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jeff iv made a few makes a very nice bow i hate the damn stuff messes me up the walnut dust is killer what i did is made em wide in the limb blend ur heartwood sap wood about 50 /50 the saps stronger anyway thise brown black /white make pretty bows but wear a mask while workin it brock