Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bonater on April 02, 2008, 04:08:51 pm

Title: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: bonater on April 02, 2008, 04:08:51 pm
I just started working on a mulberry stave, but I have never worked with mulberry before.  I have removed most of the sapwood and I am trying to chase a growth ring.  I know what I am looking for on osage, I am a little confused with the mulberry.  I am looking for early and late growth like I do on osage, but which is which on mulberry if there is such a distinction? 
Nate
Title: Re: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: El Destructo on April 02, 2008, 04:11:18 pm
The first layer under the Sapwood should be the last Latewood ring     ::)
Title: Re: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: Pat B on April 02, 2008, 04:49:37 pm
It looks very similar to osage. The early ring is crumbly just like osage and usually mulberry late rings are thicker than the average osage late ring.    Pat
Title: Re: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: Hillbilly on April 02, 2008, 06:06:21 pm
Like Pat said, works just like osage but a lot easier.
Title: Re: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: bcbull on April 02, 2008, 08:17:30 pm
 i just finished a 62#@28 maulberry  my 3 rd one  i relley like the wood   but  what i did  is i left about 1 /16 sap  on  it   and made it 25% wider than i normally do    after i finished it i toasted the belly  and  snake skin backed it    work it about the same as osage but then maybe a lil like yew with the sap haha  im gonna make another soon will see if i can fig out how to post some pice  of it   good luck and have fun !
Title: Re: Mulberry growth rings
Post by: Hrothgar on April 03, 2008, 10:48:09 am
It has been a couple years since I worked with red mulberry. The wood I used had really wide thick rings. I just found a good ring close to the sapwood (not the thickest) and used it for my back. The wood is quite a bit softer and lighter than osage and works very easily. The late growth tends to be pretty powdery and porous, makes a great bow though. Good luck!