Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Spitch on April 06, 2012, 05:25:39 pm

Title: Bow wood question
Post by: Spitch on April 06, 2012, 05:25:39 pm
I was thinking of making a Holmegaard bow and trying to come up with a good wood (native/local) to use. I was out and about when I found some straight-as-a-pole Scrub Oak (some 30 ft or more to boot!)

Do ya'll think that it would make a good bow?

Thank you :D
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: young indian12 on April 06, 2012, 05:41:48 pm
I love holmegarrd bows!! >:D I have never used scrub oak for one, but you might as well give it a shot. I would expect that it would, since red oak is a good choice for that particular style. As it says in your little template, "Use what you have."

Breven
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: Badger on April 06, 2012, 05:56:34 pm
  Not positive but I think scrub oak and live oak may be the same. Live oak is extremely hard and heavy and makes excellent bows.
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: bubby on April 06, 2012, 06:22:50 pm
Quote from: Badger on April 06, 2012, 05:56:34 pm
  Not positive but I think scrub oak and live oak may be the same. Live oak is extremely hard and heavy and makes excellent bows.
they aren't the same but all the oaks make a good bow, Bub
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: okie64 on April 06, 2012, 07:17:56 pm
Scrub oak is usually post or blackjack oaks. Theyre called scrub oaks because the most common place to find a bunch of them is in an abandoned field. Post oaks are in the white oak family and blackjacks are in the red oak family. Never tried either one but they should make a good bow. Give it a shot and let us know how it turns out.
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: Bryce on April 06, 2012, 08:28:13 pm
Where do you live?
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: Spitch on April 06, 2012, 10:51:03 pm
Young indian12;  thank you been living the templat :'(e for as long as I can remember.

Badger; good thought but we have Live oak out here too and it is definitely not the same... Diameter was too small, about 6-8".... The Live Oaks (at least the ones five miles down the road) of that height have a much larger diameter.

Bubby; thanks, bub

Oakie64; didn't know there were two types. Everyone just called that type of oak scrub... And it looks like I will try it.

Bryce; Anza, Southern California
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: Bryce on April 07, 2012, 02:44:59 am
Go grab some juniper.
Title: Re: Bow wood question
Post by: lesken2011 on April 07, 2012, 12:30:29 pm
Live oaks stay green all year. They shed some leaves, but don't lose them all....at least not down here in the southern US. I have 2 very large live oaks I am going to harvest some branches from soon. I'll let you know how they work out.