Author Topic: Bow Wood in the rough. (Read 3537 times)

Scrub_buck · « **on:** February 11, 2010, 08:08:43 pm »

I got these two logs of dogwood today from a friends's farm. They are 70 inches and about 10 and 12 inches in diameter. There are a few knots ... but nothing too bad. All in all, I think they are pretty good pieces of wood. I'll have to see how bad the knots are when the bark comes off.

Scrub

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DanaM · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:13:04 pm »

i want some

sweet

gmc · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:35:32 pm »

Looks great, best of luck.

sulphur · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:12:35 pm »

i am not familiar with that wood. looks like i have some around though. How is it for bows?

sweeney3 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:06:11 pm »

Sulfer,

Dogwood is really high in tension. Might be tougher than hickory. Pretty darn good wood. You can treat it about like hickory. That stuff just about doesn't break.

nclonghunter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:37:56 pm »

May be some arrow shafts in there too...

sulphur · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:55:44 pm »

anyone got a better pic of the bark or leaves. i am almost certain i have several of those around.

Pat B · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:59:02 am »

If the logs are fresh split them at least in half and give them a few weeks to acclimatize before you do anything else. Once you split them seal the ends well and store them in the dry.
Ideally(lot less work) you want the wood right under the bark for your bow back so when the time comes work gingerly to remove the bark.

Pappy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:05:32 am »

Nice haul,and what Pat said.

Pappy

radius · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:40:42 am »

good score...be patient...have fun

Scrub_buck · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:42:12 pm »

Thanks for the tips. I was going to try to get them split today. Would you go ahead and take the bark off now, and seal the backs with parrafin ... or wait?

Scrub_buck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2010, 12:54:09 pm »

BTW: I was doing a little research on dogwood and ran into Greg Bagwell's dogwood selfbow of the month 'blossom'. Simply breat-taking! My limited experience probably will not let me achieve that kind of selfbowyer nirvana ... but I'll do my best.

Scrub

Pappy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:12:18 pm »

I would,That would take away the chance of worms or bugs. Be gentle as Pat said not to cut into the back,right under the bark.Dogwood makes a fine bow.

Pappy

Hillbilly · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:04:30 pm »

If you take the bark off, seal it good. Dogwood is one of the worst woods for checking.

Pat B · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:10:55 pm »

I'd leave the bark on...at least for a while. I have a stave of dogwood that Hillbilly gave me a few years ago and the bark is still on it and it is still insect free. If you are worried about bugs, spray the bark with an insecticide.

Primitive Archer