Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: wberry85 on October 16, 2011, 09:14:05 pm

Title: Curly maple
Post by: wberry85 on October 16, 2011, 09:14:05 pm

Anyone ever made a bow from curly maple?  I see it all the time in gun stocks but never seen a bow made out of it.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: youngbowyer on October 16, 2011, 09:37:54 pm

probably. I just finished a bow form home depot maple which is supposingly not dense enough to make a bow. Give it a try. Keep the limbs wide.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: wberry85 on October 16, 2011, 09:56:46 pm

I wish I had a piece large enough to make a bow.  Fine curly maple is very expensive.  Gun stocks even in rough form go for close to $200.  I have only completed one selfbow so I wouldnt dare take a chance with a $200 stave!

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: youngbowyer on October 16, 2011, 10:10:21 pm

get some dense maple form home depot. Works pretty good. Go for a pyramid deign. 2 inches from the fades to 1 3/4 at midlimb then an aggressive taper to 1/2 at the nocks. If you have some woods you can acces look for hickory and any other hardwood saplings.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: TheWildCat on October 16, 2011, 10:37:18 pm

I have seen a few and they are beautiful. But that much bow quality curly maple is exspensive, hard to find. And most likely, will not have the performance of Osage or some of the other known good choices. But ifin ya build one I sure would like to see it. Curly Mape is always a Head Turner.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: Josh B on October 18, 2011, 02:55:02 am

Curly maple is beautiful and expensive as stated.  I've seen a few bows made of it, but all were backed.  I've only used it for gunstocks, but I can tell you for certain that it would have to backed.  The curl in the grain that gives it the beauty would be next to impossible chase.  Use of a draw knife usually ends up hooking the curls and tearing out chunks.  Be very careful and only use the sharpest rasps in you're arsenal. Just my 2 cents,
                                                                                                                                       Josh

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: medicinewheel on October 18, 2011, 03:59:14 am

Compression fractures happen to appear right where the curls are, be it maple, purple heart or even - as just happend to me - ipé.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: Pappy on October 18, 2011, 09:37:11 am

I have only seen it on Galss backed bows,it is beautiful for sure. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: ken75 on October 18, 2011, 01:19:52 pm

heres one , i have another i have never put on here , ill try to get a pick in a min

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: ken75 on October 18, 2011, 01:46:04 pm

heres the other one hickory backed curly maple pyramid . 60 inches

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: blackhawk on October 18, 2011, 01:58:33 pm

Ken those are gorgeous......show off  ;)

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: nyarrow on October 19, 2011, 12:13:42 am

Nice job ken! Sweet looking bows. Do they shoot well?

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: zenmonkeyman on October 19, 2011, 01:40:43 am

El Destructo made a backed curly maple paddle bow about a year and a half ago, go back in the BOM threads and you'll find it.  Almost forgot; if you make one, make it wide.

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: bobnewboy on October 20, 2011, 12:10:35 pm

That was a bird's eye maple paddle bow, wasn't it?  I remember it - it was stunning to look at. :D

Title: Re: Curly maple
Post by: zenmonkeyman on October 23, 2011, 12:04:51 am

I had to find it:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,17497.60.html