Hi, I've been interested in the idea of making bows for a while now, and am finally ready to have a go. I have a length of trunk that was cut down at work
about six weeks ago, I think it's ironbark, an old bit of hardwood timber I found in the rafters (5x6cm, 68 inches) and an old rosewood shortstaff (old
martial arts stick). My questions are:
1. The trunk has been sitting out in the elements for about six weeks (mainly sun, bit of heavy rain), do i need to debark it while it's drying and seal the ends? I dont think the weather has affected it at all, it's pretty solid wood. I'm just a bit worried about borers, they got the last log I left out.
2. Is the grain on the 5x6 plank ok to ignore? It's a bit hard to see but it's not really level with the top face. I was thinking of making a flatbow from it. It's also pretty solid, would it need to be backed? Not sure what type of wood it is, found it under my parents house in the rafters.
3. The rosewood staff I thought would make a great little rabbit bow, and I'd like to start with it because it's less work than the other two. Would 45/50 pound draw weight be asking too much from it? It has a 3cm diameter and is a smidge over 5"1'. Not real sure about what the shape of the limbs should be, I'd like to leave the handle area as is, it fits nicely in my hand.
4. Are there any other tools you would suggest?
Looking forward to your replies
1. The trunk has been sitting out in the elements for about six weeks (mainly sun, bit of heavy rain), do i need to debark it while it's drying and seal the ends? I dont think the weather has affected it at all, it's pretty solid wood. I'm just a bit worried about borers, they got the last log I left out.
2. Is the grain on the 5x6 plank ok to ignore? It's a bit hard to see but it's not really level with the top face. I was thinking of making a flatbow from it. It's also pretty solid, would it need to be backed? Not sure what type of wood it is, found it under my parents house in the rafters.
3. The rosewood staff I thought would make a great little rabbit bow, and I'd like to start with it because it's less work than the other two. Would 45/50 pound draw weight be asking too much from it? It has a 3cm diameter and is a smidge over 5"1'. Not real sure about what the shape of the limbs should be, I'd like to leave the handle area as is, it fits nicely in my hand.
4. Are there any other tools you would suggest?
Looking forward to your replies

