Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Matt B on April 12, 2020, 10:04:30 am

Title: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: Matt B on April 12, 2020, 10:04:30 am
Hi All,

Been a long time, since I've even browsed the community much here, but with all the social restriction, I'm now finding myself with more 'work/fun' time than I had before.

I was cutting down some cedars (I believe) in front of a garden shed to open it up, and it got me thinking... Could I make bows out of these??? (Pics below)

They're maybe 10ft tall? 2nd pic for height reference - I cut down 2 trees, which had 3 'trunks' each, so 6 total I'd say from 3"-6" diameter give or take?:

(https://i.imgur.com/zff5IhA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fT49nMF.jpg)
https://imgur.com/a/zV7MKvr

Edit: Figured out how to link the images directly to the post :)
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: aznboi3644 on April 12, 2020, 10:10:17 am
I’ll leave this question for squirrel slayer.
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: peacefullymadewarbows on April 12, 2020, 11:40:48 am
They look to be true cedars (Thuja) in which case I've heard very poorly about wood in that genus. But, if it's a juniper you could have some fun with it. Either way, though I always encourage and am curious about bows being made out of generally "terrible" wood species. You may surprise yourself and us as well. At the very least it will probably be very easy to work since it is a soft wood and dry very quickly.
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: bownarra on April 12, 2020, 11:49:25 am
Think I'd rather go with the wood in the handrail myself.....:)
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: Matt B on April 12, 2020, 12:11:04 pm
Hahah fair enough.. Well maybe I'll grab the best looking one, clean it up and get some practice at least. I've only made one bow and it was a board bowe, but I've weanted to make a bow out of a stave for a long time.
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: simson on April 12, 2020, 12:13:11 pm
This is thuja or cypress or pseudocypress, but not cedar.
Marginal bow wood, I saved some out of the junk container (looking similar, also with a lot of little branches).

I’ll leave this question for squirrel slayer.

Haha, me too!
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 12, 2020, 12:56:35 pm
 (-S
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: osage outlaw on April 12, 2020, 03:01:17 pm
I’ll leave this question for squirrel slayer.

Thanks for the memory and the laugh. 
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: aznboi3644 on April 12, 2020, 03:10:06 pm
I’ll leave this question for squirrel slayer.

Thanks for the memory and the laugh.

That should make a nice handrail.  Just don’t get it caught in the doorway 🤣🤣
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: Pappy on April 12, 2020, 03:43:56 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D Ya I liked that guy. Kept a smile on my face. As for the question Matt B , You can make some what of a bow out of most any wood.
Those trees you have wouldn't be my first choice but if you don't have anything else, go for it and learn a little something. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: Matt B on April 12, 2020, 03:50:08 pm
Clearly there's some sort of inside joke going around that's way over my head! :)

Thanks for the feedback. I'll hang onto a piece to see if I get around to doing anything with it. I have a bit of a forest behind me so maybe I can find something better, unfortunately, most of it appears to be ash and a lot of it will be coming down since the bugs got in them the past few years. I'll see if I can find some of the smaller ones with less damage.
Title: Re: Could I make a Bow, or Bows out of this?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 12, 2020, 07:55:07 pm
really..more practice on some board bows, might be a better use of time,, and have a higher success rate,, that being said I tried some very iffy wood back in the day,, just for fun,,,