Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: autologus on April 29, 2013, 02:49:13 pm
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I was wondering how you all thought of common hawthorn as a bow wood? I have found a nice little hawthorn behind my shop that is about 2" in diameter and fairly straight except for a nice reflexive bend that would be in a good handle location. Any advice with this wood, it looks like it would be quite dense and have lots of character. Also how would I deal with tiny limbs? Just leave them as raised knots?
Grady
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I have wondered about hawthorne too. I think the tiny branches could be left as raised knots- I wouldn't try to cut 'em too low. Specific gravity from TBB vol 4 is .83 (crataegus sp.). Should make a good bow based on that.
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It is reported to be excellent bowwood - IF you can find a piece that is big enough without defects. And that's a huge if.
Run a search for "hawthorn" or "hawthorne". You will find plenty of info.
Seriously, run a search.
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My only experience was about the same dimensions as yours and unfortunately for me I tried to split it, and ruined it.
Checks badly and splits even worse and that coming from someone who splits elm all the time.
Shame as it was looking like a great bow woo. So if you do cut it saw rather than split,.
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http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,9511.0.html
several bows come up in a search, Bub
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We have a native species of black hawthorn and an introduced english hawthorn common in a lot neighborhoods. I want to try them both, but it is tough to find a straight piece. Although just last weekend I saw a hawthorn bow made by Jim Rempp that was a straight flat bow made from a stave with at least 30 degree twist. He simply ignored the grain and cut a straight bow from it. It came out just fine, actually really nice! I might start being less critical of choosing a piece of hawthorn after seeing that bow.
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There was an article a few years ago called "The Hawthorn Bow Buck" which told of the details of harvesting a buck and also of making the bow. I'd need to flip through my copies of PA to find what issue and the author's name.
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Its diffuse porous so there is no ring to chase. It drys quite slowly, I have some drying now. Early May it will be 2 months, I can start cutting the biggest peice about 4 inches round, may get 2 bows out of it. Ya it takes a long time to dry. Will try putting some out in the sun see how that does.. ???
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yes , hawthorn is a very good bow wood...its a hard and strong wood, and will easily make a good bow, if you can find a piece that is suitable...thats the hard part.... I have never had a problem drying it. except for when it has grown twisted.
dave
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Carson,
Look in unlogged swamps, that's where I find it. It has a nasty need to twist, with that said if you can determine the grain is straight from the bark, saw it. I prefer to cut it in the dead of winter saw , split whatever....seal the ends leave it out side where rain can not get to it where it will stay cool.
VMB
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Makes a very good bow, However it warps if dried wrong, checks quite easily, is very prone to tear-outs, and will chrysal if it is not seasoned long enough. I've learned there isn't much of a point making bows unless the wood is well seasoned. That's what the stuff i work with acts like, there's a lot of variation in hawthorn tho.
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Yup.......does it twist after its shaped or as its drying....? The stuff I have is quite straight.
Zion I know you are making bows in short order correct?, like 2-3 months after sitting outside... ::)
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I have some hawthorne and want to try it.
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The stuff we have here is gnarly and crooked as a barrel of snakes. :laugh:
Grady
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The stuff we have here is gnarly and crooked as a barrel of snakes. :laugh:
Grady
Mmmm i guess it depends what area of N-america you are at. Here on the pacific coast it seems to grow straight, not much gnarl at all
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Bow101 about every other piece i've gotten has warped after roughing out, but some of them don't. Yeah with a lot of my bows i quick dry the wood, but i'm not going to with hawthorn anymore lol.
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Bow101 about every other piece i've gotten has warped after roughing out, but some of them don't. Yeah with a lot of my bows i quick dry the wood, but i'm not going to with hawthorn anymore lol.
:laugh:.......I hear ya Zion, its always nice to go at 'er get 'er dun so to speak. I hate waiting for wood to dry as well ::) but thats part of what we do.