Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 05:25:00 am

Title: Hornbeam?
Post by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 05:25:00 am

  I have a hawk head made by KHalverson and wanted to use hornbeam from my area. Though I never worked it I know it's reputation for toughness and it's use in tool handles. I plan on cutting a piece this weekend while squirrel hunting and wanted to know how to cure it. Should I let it dry with bark on or debark? Does it check easily? Anyone with hornbeam experience please help. I have cut it while camping and know it is super hard and dense.
                                                        Thanks, Don

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: JEB on December 25, 2013, 07:16:19 am

I say bark off to season.

Hop Hornbeam is also referred to here in Michigan as Ironwood and has that name for a reason.lol

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: Pat B on December 25, 2013, 10:35:54 am

Is it American hophorn or hop hornbeam?  You'd probably treat both the same.

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 10:50:47 am

  Thanks guys, Pat it is Carpinus Caroliniana, Hornbeam without the hop...I read later after posting that some folks have had some checking problems. I wanted to do this piece justice but I guess a piece of dry hickory from the hardware store reduced would suffice, just wouldn't be as fun. Just didn't know what some folks had experienced.

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: Pat B on December 25, 2013, 10:59:11 am

My bad, Donald. That is what I meant.  :-[    If the piece is big enough just let it check and make the handle from the unchecked part.

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 11:09:28 am

 Now that's thinking! I'm not trying to make a bow O:) I'll just cut a long pole and see what happens...May even find some dead standing when I get there...

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: Pat B on December 25, 2013, 11:47:00 am

Cut the pole long enough to get the handle and a bow from I.  ;D

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 01:38:38 pm

 Another good idea! I heard hornbeam is a beast when it comes to debarking and working...

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: JEB on December 25, 2013, 03:29:18 pm

Debark right after you cut it. There is a group of us that get together on Thursdays and a couple are making hornbeam self bows.  I have made one and it wasn't bad to work.

Title: Re: Hornbeam?
Post by: burchett.donald on December 25, 2013, 07:41:00 pm

 Thanks JEB, feel free to post some progress, would love to see it!