Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Maxspin on January 08, 2013, 11:34:17 am

Title: Vine Maple Staves
Post by: Maxspin on January 08, 2013, 11:34:17 am

I visited Brian Melton “Vine Maple” on Sunday. I spent 5 hours looking at his bows staves and wood. He took me to one of his stave collecting sites and we cut a couple of Vine Maple staves for me to take home. I have never seen so much Vine Maple that grows that big or that straight.
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/maxspin_photos/VM1_zps7321b452.jpg)
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/maxspin_photos/VM2_zpsb57bac83.jpg)
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/maxspin_photos/VM3_zpsd3b062e0.jpg)

The pictures do not even tell the story. It was growing everywhere. Brian can afford to be very selective. looking only for straight long pieces. If you didn't see anything you liked, walk 100 feet or another 100 feet or another.... As you can see this stuff is mostly growing vertical. There is no compression or tension side to these trees.

I took home six to play with.

I bought 3 staves from Brian while I was there.
A Vine Maple, a Cascara, and an Oregon Ash.

Thanks again Brian

Keith

Title: Re: Vine Maple Staves
Post by: vinemaplebows on January 08, 2013, 03:10:02 pm

It was fun, but that lemon wood....stressfull! ;D

Title: Re: Vine Maple Staves
Post by: Dictionary on January 08, 2013, 03:44:45 pm

what lengths do you cut them?

Title: Re: Vine Maple Staves
Post by: bow101 on January 08, 2013, 07:57:54 pm

Nice picking. Have to find some of that Vine Maple mmee self.    :)

Title: Re: Vine Maple Staves
Post by: vinemaplebows on January 08, 2013, 10:13:18 pm

Cutting billets 33-36... staves 54-70. you don't need 70 for vine maple, but you can find it. :)