Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BrokenArrow on October 15, 2014, 12:12:38 pm

Title: Elm Tree Advice
Post by: BrokenArrow on October 15, 2014, 12:12:38 pm

I have cut what I believe to be an American Elm tree into four quarters and have removed bark down to sap wood.
This weekend I used a hatchet and draw knife to rough out 3 of them and I worked down the fourth even further.
The moisture level varies between 9% and 18% in the 3 staves with the fourth a bit lower on average. The tree when cut was around 35% moisture a couple months ago.
I know the staves will dry faster this way.
At what moisture level should I finish the bows?
Does Elm steam bend easily? How well does it heat bend?
I am leaving the sapwood as the backing. Is this advisable or do some go down to the hard wood as a backing?

Thanks

Title: Re: Elm Tree Advice
Post by: PatM on October 15, 2014, 12:19:58 pm

Sounds more like Slippery Elm if you're noticing a lot of Heartwood.
 Elm likes to be dry and it takes steam and heat very well.
 Just leave the outer ring as the back. No need to remove anything.

Title: Re: Elm Tree Advice
Post by: JackCrafty on October 15, 2014, 01:11:05 pm

I always keep the sapwood on elm.  The kind we have in my area  ( winged elm, I think)  is very flexible and the resulting bows are way thicker than osage, for example.  I like elm a lot.

Title: Re: Elm Tree Advice
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 15, 2014, 02:09:40 pm

I made my good friend an all heart wood elm long bow last winter. I backed it with rawhide for fear of the unknown. As far as I know its still alive and shoots quite well. It doesn't weight a pound total.

Title: Re: Elm Tree Advice
Post by: sleek on October 16, 2014, 01:20:22 pm

Any pics of the staves? Specifically the heartwood/sapwood?