Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: M-P on July 08, 2007, 02:07:36 am

Title: Red cedar long bow
Post by: M-P on July 08, 2007, 02:07:36 am

Here is an ELB I made from rocky mtn juniper ( aka colorado red cedar) that I recently gave to my friend Ben.  The bow has black steer horn nocks and a horn strike plate.  The bow draws 37 # @ 28", but Ben will be shooting at 26".  Ben's been shooting in the recurve division at our local club meets, but now will shoot in the primitive division.  More competition for me!
M-P

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Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: Badger on July 08, 2007, 02:37:54 am

Very nice, I am sure he will enjoy it, is that the same bow at full draw, the color looks different but it might be the light. Steve

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: OldBow on July 08, 2007, 12:28:43 pm

Great looking bow.  Any idea what genus and species your juniper is? Got your bow bookmarked for July Self Bow of the Month

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: GregB on July 08, 2007, 01:28:52 pm

Great looking bow from a difficult wood. :)

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: PatM on July 08, 2007, 02:18:42 pm

Rocky Mountain Juniper(Juniper Scopulorum)
 It was originally thought to be a subspecies of Eastern Red Cedar. Very similar tree except its berries require two years to mature rather than one. Hybrids are found where the two species overlap in range, so they are virtually identical in genetic make-up.
 Pat

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: 1/2primitive on July 08, 2007, 04:47:29 pm

Very good bow, so are the working properties it similar to cedar?
      Sean

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: Hillbilly on July 08, 2007, 06:47:39 pm

Nice looking bow.

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: Justin Snyder on July 08, 2007, 07:11:32 pm

That is a pretty piece of wood.  I would also like to know how the wood was to work.  Are you sure it is Rocky Mountain Juniper?  Colorado also has Utah Juniper and Oneseed Juniper.  I still haven't figured out how to positively tell the Utah and Rocky Mountain types apart.   ;D Justin

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: M-P on July 08, 2007, 09:16:06 pm

Hi Folks,  Thanks for your remarks and questions.   I've identified the wood as colorado red cedar, which is a popular term for J. scopulorum.  The stave was actually collected in north central Nebraska where hybridization with eastern red cedar is big possibility.   I'm not familiar enough with other juniper species to give much advice on identification.  The wood is very similar to the lumber yard eastern red cedar ( J. virginianum) in appearance and working properties.  The grove I'm collecting staves from has numerous trees that are 5-6 inches through the base and ~ 50 growth rings.  It's not high elevation yew, but it does seem a little denser and springier than the lumber yard eastern red cedar I've worked. 
This bow wound up being mainly sapwood with just enough heartwood coloring in the handle area to keep it from looking boring.  I was shooting for a 5-10 pound higher draw weight, but !!!!!   Oh well, it was just the right weight for Ben.
M-P

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 08, 2007, 11:57:24 pm

It's a fine bow. Congratulations. Jawge

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: Gordon on July 09, 2007, 12:34:36 am

I like how the heartwood accents the limbs and handle area. A very distinctive and fine looking bow.

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: jpitts on July 09, 2007, 01:07:33 am

It's beautiful. Do you have any close ups?

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: Pappy on July 09, 2007, 07:46:03 am

Fine looking job,I am sure he will give you a run for your money with that one.It's nice to have friends like that. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Red cedar long bow
Post by: DanaM on July 09, 2007, 12:07:01 pm

Very, very nice bow, well done.