Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bobbykelley on December 12, 2014, 09:45:02 am
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Good morning everyone. I have a ash split that is 72" long and 3 5/8" at one end and 3" at the other. I didn't measure how thick it was but I think it's close to 3". It looks to have only one knot in it. I was wondering should I just lay out the bow and make it 2" wide and 72" long. Would a pyramid work well or is ash better for straight out to the last 10 or so inches faded down to 1/2". It was cut 12/12 and been put up. Here's a few pics. Thanks for any advice.
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What type of ash is that? Never seen ash with a distinct sapwood line, or that color.
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Not sure what type. Sorry I didn't cut it (was ordered). I just remembered that I had it put up since I bought it.
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Im going to say it isn't ash, from the states, Bobby. But Ive been wrong hundreds of times before.
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Is black ash common in your area? That's what it looks like to me. White and green ash don't really have a distinct heartwood like PD said.
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Hope its not black ash, last I knew that was good for one thing. Basket weaving.
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DavidV,
I live in FL, so I ordered it from evilbay. Guess I got taken. It still looks pretty good I'll just make it wide and long and see what comes out. Would you guys suggest pyramid or last 10" or so tapered? I think the last 10" tapered to keep the width most of the way. Thanks for the help.
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If you draw 27-28" and want a 45-55 bow, Id go 68-70" ntn and 2" wide, flat bow style. Hold that 2" out to mid limb. Id temper it as well. That's always a good way to boost so-so wood, most of the time.
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28" draw and I'm not heman so I am only shooting for 45#. I think I'll cut it 70" NTN not going to be a hunting bow just something to throw sticks with. Not at the hunting bow maker stage yet (I have a long way to go).
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this not ash
do more pics, maybe we can identify the wood
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Simson,
what pic's would you like? It came to me the way you see it. I could do some close ups of belly and back. But that would be all that I could give.
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do a detail from the side , sap and heartwood
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Looks like bow wood, but not Ash.
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This is interesting - I have some similar staves that I thought were ash. It seems like good, dense wood, but I have not made a bow with them yet.
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Looks very mulberry like with all the pin knots on the back side. I
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Any other guesses? Red Elm maybe?
I've seen Bitternut Hickory with similar sap/heart ratio but bitternut always seems to have a slight waviness to the circle of the growth rings.
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I cant tell, the yellow part looks like osage or mulberry ,,but like mentioned the sap wood pin nots are different,,, doesnt look like ash,,
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That kinda looks like elm of some kind. I just did a some research of what's in my area and could be slippery or Siberian. Just a thought. I could see how someone might think the bark was similar when cutting. Don't know. :)
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No guess from this guy. I do know that 45# is plenty to hunt with. Sounds like you are at "the hunting bow maker stage " already if ya ask me. ;) Whatever kind of wood it is, good luck with it.
Tattoo Dave
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I think this could absolutely be black ash (Fraxinus nigra). Surprised others are so sure its not.
I would follow Pearly's advice and get down to the heartwood.
Gabe
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Looks very mulberry like with all the pin knots on the back side. I
My thoughts also with a heavy amber/varnish sealer
DBar
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Yes not white or green ash for sure!
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I am definitely no expert! I cut some black locust that doesn't look a lot different than that except the sapwood layer is thicker on your stave than mine were. Mine had lots of pin knots too. There may be something about it that definitely rules out black locust with the more experienced guys but that's the closest guess I could make. And it's just that a wild guess.
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I agree with it likely being mulberry. COULD be elm, as elm saplings often have lots of pin knots and tiny pointy bumps. COULD even be yellow locust, which is usually pinker and not so dark, and has kind of kinky grain, but I have seen especially dense wood from medium-sized trunks have very reddish, dark heartwood.
I have never seen and handled black ash.
Either way, i agree with half-parallel-half-tapered flatbow design. When you go to shape it, cut a square or round dowel about 10 cm long from the upper corners where you side taper the limbs and find out the S.G of the wood. Then we can help you more with design.
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The first thing that popped in my head before I read everyone's comments was..that ain't ash,and it looks like red elm....then my second guess was maybe its Kentucky coffee tree ..it looks a LOT like it as well....I'm pretty sure that ain't black ash,black locust,or mulberry folks....one way to tell if its red elm or Kentucky coffee is to put a black light on it...if it glows a flourescent yellowish green its Kentucky coffee tree..if not its more than likely red elm.
Can you please give more info,as I don't think there's a 100% conclusion and consensus as to what you have....WHO did you buy it from,and WHERE does that person live? Was it the guy with the white chair? I've seen him sell elm and Kentucky coffee tree.
I'm actually leaning more towards Kentucky coffee due to the more off white sapwood,the color of the heartwood,and the look and texture of the wood...BUT red elm can be like that as well
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to me it looks kind of like red-bud, but that is unlikely as most people don't cut it and red-bud is normally really twisted.
but redbud is part of the locust family.
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I have never seen the inside of a Black Ash tree.
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Blackhawk I'm not sure who I bought it from as it was about 2 yrs ago when I did. I know that I have bought from the guy with the white chair as that is where I got the wood for the other post I have going right now about a red elm and where the knot is. On the side of the piece of the wood the person wrote ash 12/12 and on the red elm was written red elm 12/12 there were 4 sets of billets. I don't think its osage as I have gotten a staff of that and it doesn't look like that. I've never had anything else except red oak from lowes. I'm gonna go with 68" to 72" with 2" out to the last 10" then taper to 1/2" at the tips.
Tattoo Dave as for the hunting bow comment I just meant that my skill so far isn't up to making a bow that is that good of quality. Thanks for the replies.