Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: missilemaster on November 27, 2011, 07:49:13 pm

Title: buckthorn bow
Post by: missilemaster on November 27, 2011, 07:49:13 pm
Hi all, Here is a bow I finished up a little bit ago. It is made of European Buckthorn, (Rhamnus cathartica), an introduced, invasive tree that grows like a weed in the mid west. I have made 3 bows from this wood so far and it has suprised me. It is very good in tensile strength. Compression strength seems to vary from tree to tree but so far no frets. It has a thin cream colored sapwood and a beautiful redish- orange to yellow heartwood, not unlike yew. Buckthorn is small diameter and twisted so finding usable staves is difficult. A word of clarity here; Buckthorn is NOT the same as Cascara, which grows in the pacific north west. Same Genus, different species. About the bow;63" ntn, 53# @ 28",1 1/8" at handle flaring to 1 1/4" at mid limb then tapering to 1/2" nocks. I honestly did not expect this bow to survive past tillering due to some imperfections on the back and a thin growth ring on the back but buckthorn is an amazing wood!The stave started out with about 4 1/2" of reflex and kept 2 1/2" of it. It is a smooth drawing fast shooting bow. Finished with tru oil and past wax. Thanks for looking.
                                                             God bless, Cody
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: missilemaster on November 27, 2011, 07:59:07 pm
more pics.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Ifrit617 on November 27, 2011, 08:01:42 pm
Man I really like that one.. Especially those tips! plus the knotty back... Heck I like the whole thing! >:D good job on a tough stave.

Jon
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Gordon on November 27, 2011, 08:03:29 pm
That bow turned out surprisingly well considering all the character issues.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: TurtleCreek on November 27, 2011, 08:15:35 pm
Wow, that is one sweet bow! Good job.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on November 27, 2011, 08:24:02 pm
Love that reflex it holds, cool finish detail as well.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: johnston on November 27, 2011, 08:33:27 pm
Really like that. You do pretty work.

Lane

Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: coaster500 on November 27, 2011, 08:41:15 pm
What a great bow!!  2 1/2"s of reflex I bet it shoots quick. It does look allot like yew in color. That back is just awesome  to look at, GREAT WORK!!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Cameroo on November 27, 2011, 08:50:41 pm
Nicely done!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Keenan on November 27, 2011, 09:38:54 pm
Cody, I was more then impressed with your skills as a bowyer when I first met you at the Classic. Your skills continue to shine through your work. That is another very impressive bow. Love the character and your detail work on those tips, is excellent! Well done Cody.
 Guys and gals this is a bowyer to keep your eyes on. 
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: tattoo dave on November 27, 2011, 09:41:17 pm
Sweet bow Cody! turned out awesome.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: tetaxidermy on November 27, 2011, 09:55:37 pm
Just plain cool, you say that stuff grows in the midwest going to keep my eyes peeled for some.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Sidewinder on November 27, 2011, 10:37:08 pm
Cody, very impressive bow. The reflex is insane and I love the back.   Danny
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: ErictheViking on November 27, 2011, 11:28:14 pm
Great job on a bumpy backed stave. love the tips.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Jimbob on November 28, 2011, 02:19:57 am
Nice Job!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: bubby on November 28, 2011, 03:33:44 am
that's a sweet bow, great attention to the details, Bub
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Del the cat on November 28, 2011, 05:49:41 am
Nice, the knotty back and that bit of reflex is really great.
Del
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: dwardo on November 28, 2011, 07:12:21 am
The unbraced profile is very nice. Nice job with everything really.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: mikekeswick on November 28, 2011, 07:25:01 am
Excellent bow. Perfect tillering to hold that reflex.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Pappy on November 28, 2011, 09:08:23 am
Beautiful bow Cody, very well done,Also a big thanks for all your help at the Classic last year it was greatly appreciated. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: nathan elliot on November 28, 2011, 09:28:24 am
Great looking bow and awesome craftsmanship. Top job!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Parnell on November 28, 2011, 01:07:14 pm
That is one interesting bow for me.  I used to live up there in Buckthorn land.  Cut more of that stuff down than I care to remember doing environmental conservation volunteering.  It's choking out the hickory and oak savannah that is native.  Been wanting to see one for sometime and your's is super.
Great job!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: druid on November 28, 2011, 02:33:36 pm
Great looking back of the bow!!!!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Josh B on November 28, 2011, 02:52:33 pm
That's a beauty!  I love character in a bow and with that one, there is alot to love!  Well done   Josh
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: bootboy on November 28, 2011, 02:55:55 pm
MAN! I love to see bows like this. I have a few staves of this, I though it was black cherry, but a different species. Buckthorn...derrr. now i know. hahahaha. Keep making bows of this quality my friend. I just love seeing the grain followed  correctly.
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: HoBow on November 28, 2011, 03:41:15 pm
Nice job Cody!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Gus on November 28, 2011, 03:55:19 pm
Yes Sir!

That is One Awesomely Bumpy Bow!
What a beauty she is.

-gus
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: juan lopez on November 28, 2011, 05:35:15 pm
Hi, Great job, beautiful bow, congratulations
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: rossfactor on November 28, 2011, 05:38:10 pm
That's the stuff right there.

G
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Eric Garza on November 28, 2011, 05:40:08 pm
Curious: anyone ever measured the density of buckthorn?
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: medicinewheel on November 28, 2011, 06:49:51 pm
Great looking bow; really like the tips!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: missilemaster on November 28, 2011, 08:47:09 pm
Curious: anyone ever measured the density of buckthorn?
TBB4 has casscara and buckthorn  as the same species with an SG of .52. They are not the same species and I would rate the density a tad higher than that, similar to black walnut. Experiments with heat tempering are under way!
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: soy on November 29, 2011, 06:46:03 am
Cool stick 8)
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on November 30, 2011, 11:53:18 pm
Been awhile since I last said this: "Wow!"
Title: Re: buckthorn bow
Post by: Blacktail on April 04, 2012, 01:17:18 am
that is a great looking stick..you are one heck of a bowyer...i hope some thing will be going down with it...blessings...john