Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mohammad Javad Shoaee on February 18, 2008, 03:31:29 pm

Title: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: Mohammad Javad Shoaee on February 18, 2008, 03:31:29 pm

Hello everyone

I wanted to know is alder a good wood for making bow?

M.J.Shoaee

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: snedeker on February 18, 2008, 03:51:19 pm

Hi.  Alder is not so great.

Dave

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: jamie on February 18, 2008, 04:02:12 pm

makes a decent arrow though

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: SimonUK on February 18, 2008, 05:55:53 pm

Yes I've heard it's not good for bows.  Pity - it's so straight.

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 18, 2008, 06:14:23 pm

Rod Parsons posted pictures of an Alder bow made by someone near him many years ago, he is in England. The bow was made from a small diameter tree. It didn't look to shabby to me

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: bootboy on February 19, 2008, 12:51:52 am

a Finnish native makes almost his bows from alder.

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: Rich Saffold on February 19, 2008, 01:19:33 am

The Alder, and Sycamores I have used were very close in density. If you can make a fast 6' 50# low mass selfbow.  You will have fun with Alder.   ;)

Rich

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: Mohammad Javad Shoaee on February 19, 2008, 10:02:14 am

Hello

Thank you everyone for your guides.

M.J.Sh

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: OldBow on February 19, 2008, 11:57:47 am

Our Montana alder is Alnus sinnuata.
It is way too soft to use for bows.  Jamie is right. Use it for arrows.

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: D. Tiller on February 19, 2008, 07:12:08 pm

How about Alder from the Pacific Northwest? How about if you sinew back it. I have heard that alder is great in compresion but lowsy in tension.

David T

Title: Re: Is alder a good bow wood?
Post by: 330bull on February 19, 2008, 09:26:28 pm

If you live in the PNW, I would suggest Vine Maple over Alder any day.  I will never attempt an alder bow with so many better woods available.

My 2 cents.   :)

Joe