Ottawa Plum Bow

[Marc St Louis]

Thanks guys

I'm sure it is Brian but then so is any hardwood with an SG of more than .60.  The SG of this Plum is about the same as HHB, definitely more elastic though.

There was another tree not far from the one I cut that was even nicer, it still only a billet length log to it though.  I'll see if I can harvest that one next year.

[vinemaplebows]

Since I have bnever seen HHB in person, is it prone to checking as bad as a lot of fruit woods?? When I sold turning wood yrs back, fruit wood was always a pain....it would want to check even sealed in wax. I stopped cutting it because of the loss.

VMB

[Marc St Louis]

I've seen HHB check on the back but it's rare and depends on when the wood is cut.  This Plum was not bad for checking at all

[Springbuck]

  I have a lot of small wild plum saplings where I live, up to 6" across, but I have not had as much luck as I like with them, because a LOT of them, almost all I have tried, have really twisted grain, like it can't be split and turns 60-90 deg over, say 4'.  I have finished MORE knotty little plumb self bows than anything from them, bcasue a ton of knots seems to change the way they grow.

With a backing, do ya suppose I could saw out a blank from hearwood and ignore this twist?  like grain angle might approach 5 degrees, Works with some selfbows...

[okie64]

Great looking bow Marc!

[Badger]

  Really like that one Mark, great job as usual.

[Ken S]

That bow is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marc St Louis]

Thanks guys

I don't see why making a backed bow out of twisted Plum wouldn't work.  The wood is very tough and extremely elastic.  I've used twisted HHB before without any problems and it can have quite a bit of twist sometimes

[Sidewinder]

Its always a pleasure to look at your bows Marc. very nice

[Marc St Louis]

Thank you Danny.  Made a bow out of one of your staves not long ago

[simson]

Great bow out of pretty wood. I have some plum staves seasoning

[bradsmith2010]

really nice, inspiring,, :

[bushboy]

Beautiful as usual marc!you are inspiring and a master!

[Marc St Louis]

Thanks guys

If you ever have the opportunity to use Plum then by all means do so.  It is every bit as good as Osage in elasticity

[Sidewinder]

I may have to re look at a couple wild plums around here.