Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: campx on July 17, 2014, 10:18:39 am

Title: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: campx on July 17, 2014, 10:18:39 am
I've got the itch to try a static recurve.  Problem is, all my wood around here is sapling sized Douglas Maple, up to 3" diameter, or elm, which aint much bigger.  My question is, how does having a high crown on the back affect the building and/or function of a static?  Perusing through the endlessly fascinating posts in here, I read that the "myth of decrowning has been laid to rest" so to speak; but wouldnt that be a good option for dealing with a small diameter sapling static?  I decrowned a DM stave before, building a 75" long flat bow......a bit of work, but the end result is cool, and functional.  Thoughts?
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 17, 2014, 10:42:08 am
I like high crown saplings with wood strong in tension. Id stick with elm.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: blackhawk on July 17, 2014, 11:13:54 am
I like high crown saplings with wood strong in tension. Id stick with elm.

Ditto...use the elm...I prefer elm in smaller diameters/higher crown personally
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: dwardo on July 17, 2014, 11:24:45 am
Pretty much every static I have made has been from saplings. Favourite being wych elm.
Just finishing one now infact.

Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: campx on July 17, 2014, 11:45:33 am
Wow, fast replies, thanks!   Good to know.  Gonna dig out a chunk of elm from the pile, curing since last summer.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: Pat B on July 17, 2014, 12:19:10 pm
Use the elm and make the belly flat.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: ssgtchad on July 17, 2014, 01:39:24 pm
If your up to a challenge,  try a hollow limb design like Simon does.  He did a build along a while back.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: rossfactor on July 17, 2014, 01:55:23 pm
Saplings are my favorite staves. 1.5-3" diameter plum water sprouts, Ocean spray or vine maple saplings are hard to beat. Woods where the sapwood is poor in tension may not make great sapling bows.

Gabe
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: campx on July 18, 2014, 03:05:19 am
Grabbed a stave outta the dry wood pile tonite after work. 
Douglas maple, pretty damn straight for what it is, 76" long, only 2" wide at the widest spot.  I had bandsawed it down the middle last fall, and it is definitely dry.  Can't believe it didn't corkscrew like crazy!
 Anyways, here's my thinking.......72 incher.  Bendy handle, possibly deflexed.  12 inch static recurves.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: dwardo on July 18, 2014, 03:16:06 am
I like my statics between 60 and 65.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 18, 2014, 08:17:04 am
Shorten the bow to 64-66" ttt and make short, sharp statics the size of a quart can. No sense in stiffening up 10-12" of tip. That's all dead weight.
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: campx on July 18, 2014, 10:04:01 am
Roger that.  I overloked that fact, ie, dead weight, on too long of levers.  I just built 3 different cauls for bending tips; I'll use the smallest radius one.....
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 18, 2014, 12:23:38 pm
It all opinion of course. Some like long hooks, I just cant see why! That would be like leaving 10-12" stiff on a 64-66" straight bow. Who does that? I think "looks" take precedence over function with some folks, and that's cool to.....I guess...:)
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: bubby on July 18, 2014, 12:58:06 pm
IMO function should always trump looks
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: vinemaplebows on July 19, 2014, 03:14:02 am
IMO function should always trump looks

Oh, come now Bubby, we are talking bows, not wives. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: killir duck on July 19, 2014, 10:11:46 am
IMO function should always trump looks

Oh, come now Bubby, we are talking bows, not wives. ;D ;D

 :o ;) ;D ;D :laugh:  haha too funny
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: campx on July 19, 2014, 10:26:32 am
"Small but more functional recurves on a bow; excessively large but somewhat useless recurves on a wife".  Quote that didnt quite make the Bowyers Bible Vol 2.   Just about spewed my morning coffee out through my nose when I saw that!
Title: Re: Static recurve from sapling?
Post by: bubby on July 19, 2014, 02:19:47 pm
IMO function should always trump looks

Oh, come now Bubby, we are talking bows, not wives. ;D ;D

I'm glad my wife doesn't browse this site  :laugh: