Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: IrishJay on November 16, 2019, 10:01:05 am
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This stave was cut from the same piece of sassafras as the bow from my "1st shortbow" thread.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,66799.0.html
Its 2 1/4" wide by 1 1/4" thick, over 8' long. I'm considering either a paddle bow or a mollegabet. With either choice I'd be looking to achieve a mid 40's draw weight at 31" draw. Either design would be linen or rawhide backed.
What would you do with it?
(https://i.imgur.com/iUTgbbc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9H6BvBU.jpg)
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Waaaaay to narrow for a paddle bow. however it will make a good American long bow.
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Whats a good width for a paddle bow?
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I have never been a fan of sassafras. I do not consider it to be a useful bow wood.
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I would make it wide ,,, parallel,, then narrow tips,, 72 inches,,,74 inches
just a simple bow that shoots,,
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76 inch long ELB. The length, and rounded belly can make up for the weak back to get a bow out of it. I have't tried one yet, but guys that have, and were sucessful claim it makes a pretty snappy, and durable bow. Even at that length I would still back it with linen. I made backed shorter bows from it , but they ended up way sub par compared to some other woods.
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Brad we posted at the same time. I didn't get a chance to look at your post. Not trying to contradict your opinion. Just some things I have read about this wood.
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I thought your idea was great,, just different approach,, :)
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I’d make a ELB out of it too, but I’m on a ELB kick right now (lol) got three in the works none of them moving very fast.
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I've done a few ELB's, I find that design works well for staves with uneven thickness from edge to edge of the limb or skinny staves that split out with a triangular cross section.
I'm not sure that its the best design for this wood though. Based on my torture test of a short bow (see link above), that I made from this same tree back strength isn't the issue as much as belly crush is.
Isn't wider and flatter typically better for woods that don't do well with compression?
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It is a balancing act for sure. Either the back can break, or the belly can crush. Since I haven't been able to get a good bow from Sass. or the soft Maples I will say no more. The advice I gave was just some thing that I had read some were. Good luck.
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Bass, I'm not criticizing anyones suggestions. I'm obiviously no expert and all ideas and input are welcome.
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I also considered something along the lines of a Meare Heath. Long and wide, although I probably add a conservative amount of reflex to the outer third or so of the limbs.
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I think the Thompsons liked sassafras and enjoyed making longbows from it. Check it out. I don't have access to my copy of the Witchery of Archery at the moment.
Jawge
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My view is that sassafras is too weak to even make an arrow. I like it for small boxes, but wouldn't spend a minute trying to make a bow from it.
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So far I've made the bow in the above thread, which isn't great but it was made more from a scrap than a stave. I have another sassafras bow in the works right now thats through floor tiller and I have the stave pictured above.
I had my doubts about its usefulness as a bow wood until I built the bow in the thread above. At 49" it can be drawn to 31" not sure how long it'll hold up, but the main objective of building it was just to see how hard Sassafras could be pushed. After that torture test, it has proven itself worthy in my mind.
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Of course a bow can be made of most any wood. My point is that for the same effort you could make a better bow of maple, oak, hickory, elm, even poplar. The mere existence of a stave-shaped piece of wood is no reason to make a bow of it.
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Well,,,its tempting :)