Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: John32r on October 31, 2015, 12:26:03 pm

Title: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: John32r on October 31, 2015, 12:26:03 pm
Has anyone here ever used Yaupon Holly or Chinese Privet for a bow? I got a stave last night after seeing the tree get struck by lightning but I didn't bother to check to see if it was privet or holly. And now I'm too far away to go back and see. What I got seems to be surprisingly strong in tension and decoid of knots. So if you want to share anything I'd appreciate it.
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: bubby on October 31, 2015, 01:21:35 pm
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=52048.0
This is a privet bow
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: John32r on October 31, 2015, 01:36:49 pm
That's one good looking bow, Bubby. Sounds like you got some great performance out of it. It seems to be a snappy wood indeed.
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: bowandarrow473 on October 31, 2015, 02:05:38 pm
Both are good bow woods, privet and holly both make good arrows too :)
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: bushboy on October 31, 2015, 02:41:17 pm
i remember someone saying that a tree struck by lightning explodes the wood cell and tends to fail in compression .

Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: Pat B on October 31, 2015, 04:20:24 pm
Privet checks badly if the bark is removed too soon and some hollies too but not sure about yaupon.
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: bubby on October 31, 2015, 04:43:57 pm
Pat on this bow i cut it and stripped the bark and took the limbs down to the pith, sealed the back real good got zero checks the ones i just split and sealed checked all to heck, I'm gonna cut some more and see if i get the same results
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: Webradbury on November 01, 2015, 07:36:48 am
I do like that bow! I've got a piece of privet in my shop waiting for the right time. I cut two pieces and did what you said you did, debarked and took the limbs down to pith, BUT I neglected to seal it and it split.
Title: Re: Yaupon Holly/Chinese Privet
Post by: Pat B on November 01, 2015, 11:36:59 am
Bubby, that probably is the best way to handle these check happy woods.