Primitive Archer

Information and Resources => Trading Post => Topic started by: Kooky on March 04, 2023, 12:03:26 pm

Title: Seeking Staves in Florida
Post by: Kooky on March 04, 2023, 12:03:26 pm

Hello all,

I’ve been reading and watching about bow making for a while. I was going to tackle a Home Depot maple bow but I don’t know, I just kind of don’t want to.

I live in South Florida and am looking for a source of staves. Any suggestions?

I also have about a dozen or so Osage trees in 3 inch pots. I’m not sure they’ll grow well here but they’re slowly getting bigger. Someday I will have nowhere to put them when they near maturity and it comes time to transplant.

Cheers

Title: Re: Seeking Staves in Florida
Post by: Allyn T on April 03, 2023, 07:04:44 am

You could try live oak or hickory in florida

Title: Re: Seeking Staves in Florida
Post by: mullet on April 17, 2023, 08:42:49 am

There should be plenty of Australian Pine trees, cassarina, down where you live. Parnel has made some zippy bows from it and I've never seen a tougher piece of wood with it's tight interlocking grain. Hickory would be your next best.
The osage will grow but very slowly. There are two that are at least 15 years old in the front yard of my old house in Lakeland, Fl. Get in touch with Parnell, he's in Naples.

Title: Re: Seeking Staves in Florida
Post by: guardianclang on July 16, 2025, 02:25:47 am

Hi Kooky,
If you're in South Florida, try checking with local sawmills, tree services, or even Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace for hardwood staves—sometimes people sell or give away wood suitable for bow making. You might also look into local archery or bushcraft groups who may know of suppliers nearby.

Nice work growing Osage trees! They can be great for bow making once mature.

Good luck!

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