Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: markinengland on January 26, 2008, 02:45:13 pm

Title: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: markinengland on January 26, 2008, 02:45:13 pm

I went out today and came across an interesting bit or wild Rose.

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/MarkinEngland/primitive%20bows/100_0571.jpg)

Quite heavily recurved and long enough to make just about any kind of bow. It is 1.5 inches wide and 1.75 inches deep.
Anyone got any experience with Rose as a bow wood? I know some have used it for arrow shafts.
How to dry? What is it good or bad at?
Mark in England

Title: Re: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: Pat B on January 26, 2008, 03:45:39 pm

Mark, I have not used rode wood for bows but I would try it if I had some big enough. I would leave the bark on until dry. Maybe split it, seal the ends and strap it to a form to dry.    Let us know how it works out.     Pat

Title: Re: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: Marc St Louis on January 26, 2008, 05:53:55 pm

I suspect you are not talking about any species of Rosewood here but the actual wood from a Rose bush. I've never heard of anyone working with it in bow form.

Title: Re: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: markinengland on January 26, 2008, 06:53:55 pm

Marc,
Yes, this is the stem of a large wild rose bush.
As a boy I used to make quite good kids bows from biggish wild rose stems
Mark in England

Title: Re: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: Pat B on January 26, 2008, 06:58:19 pm

Marc. I would give it a try. The wild rose I have collected for arrows had a tendency to check. Leaving the bark on or taking the stave down to almost bow size and sealing the back would be the way I'd go...probably the latter.     Pat

Title: Re: Making a bow from Rose?
Post by: Ryano on January 27, 2008, 06:35:09 pm

doesn't it have a pith in the center?