Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bentstick54 on March 13, 2017, 10:08:39 pm

Title: Black locust log.
Post by: bentstick54 on March 13, 2017, 10:08:39 pm

Found a black locust tree truck that had been cut and left on the ground for a week in the woods. It is approximately 8' long and maybe 10" diameter. No visibable checking yet. Weather has been in the mid 40s to md 50s and dry. A friend loaded it up and was going to take it home and seal the ends for me until I could go back and get it.
Do you think it will still be usable for selfbows? How fast will black locust deteriorate internally?

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: BowEd on March 13, 2017, 10:14:36 pm

I'd get it split up.Bark and sapwood off to a heartwood ring as soon as possible.Shellac the ends and back then too.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: turtle on March 13, 2017, 10:28:20 pm

Black locust is very rot resistant.  But sometimes fungus will get in it. In 40 and 50 degree dry weather I think it should be fine.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: bentstick54 on March 13, 2017, 10:41:39 pm

Thanks guys, it looked to good to leave lay. Have never worked with black locust but wanted to give it a try. But definitely want to start with good wood.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: osage outlaw on March 13, 2017, 10:58:21 pm

I think it should be fine.  I would split it and remove the bark and sapwood as soon as you can.  Make sure to seal the back if you take the bark and sapwood off.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: Badly Bent on March 13, 2017, 10:59:05 pm

Good bet that its fine under those conditions, I'd split it asap as Beadman suggested though.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: bentstick54 on March 13, 2017, 11:25:53 pm

I am also curious on how the grain runs on locust? The trunk and bark look as straight as you could ever hope to see. Should  I make a saw kerf down the center of one side and split with wedges from there, or split with wedges from end of the log so it follows the grain like Osage?

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: osage outlaw on March 13, 2017, 11:52:52 pm

I would split it like osage.  From my experience it splits very similar.  If its straight grained and clean it should split easily.

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 14, 2017, 12:21:32 am

I do. Nice find. Jawge

Title: Re: Black locust log.
Post by: bentstick54 on March 14, 2017, 07:55:33 pm

Thanks everyone. Hope to take possession this weekend and will get to splitting it and see where it goes from there.