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My Recent Posts · (06/18/09

Hi guys just started making my own bows and learning the methods I live in northern california and the only wood I have on my property is oak and pine I mostly try making bows from oak I have read that the best way to make a bow is from the heart of the tree but everytime I make the bow from the base of the tree its always too stiff and just snaps on me after trimming it down I have tried making bows from branches from the oak tree and have had good success any tips or things I should try to do to be able to make a bow from the base of the oak tree, thanks

My Recent Posts · (06/27/09

i have read somewhere that the best thing to do is use the flexible outer layer of the tree for the outer side of the bow and use the inner layer for the stronger belly of the bow that way you get flexibility and strength

My Recent Posts · (06/27/09

Welcome to the forum! I'm moving your thread to where it belongs, so you will get more replies. We'll remove this shadow topic from the tutorial section later on.

Oak can be a very good bow wood. Not quite sure what problem you're having... If you use the outer layer of wood under the bark as the bow back and get the wood properly dried (not to green, not too dry), you should be fine.

Ken

My Recent Posts · (06/30/09

Look for bay, it's good and easier to work than Oak. I've made one bow from oak and it was a very small tree, so I used the outside edge for the back of the bow.

My Recent Posts · (06/30/09

With oak you don't use the "heart of the tree" you use the sapwood, the wood under the bark. What you read about "heart of the tree" applies to osage and locust.

My Recent Posts · (06/30/09

There's info on my site. Jawge

My Recent Posts · (07/03/09

thanks for the advice guys the problem I have with oak is I only have blue oak which is known for its quality acorns and not known for good bow wood because of twisted grain so Im prolly going to have to make it around 2-3 inches wide and back it with sinew or some other backing

My Recent Posts · (07/04/09

Don't use twisted grain wood of any species, and definitely don't waste time and material sinew backing twisty, iffy wood.

Look for Bay, as mentioned, as well as juniper, Black Locust, and even yew. There are other oaks as well... Keep your eyes out. White oak and Garrey oak are even better than red oak, from what I've been told.

Ken

My Recent Posts · (07/08/09

Not familiar with Northern Cali, but I will add to the list of known bow woods. There are lots of ways to obtain wood;evertything from ebay to getting to know local arborists. Manzanita, juniper, chokecherry, plum, serviceberry, toyon holly, bay, myrtle, elm, walnut, any hard maple, mulberry, stuff like that to look for.

good luck.

Author	Comment
Taylor45	Need help with Bow Building	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (06/18/09 4:42 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi guys just started making my own bows and learning the methods I live in northern california and the only wood I have on my property is oak and pine I mostly try making bows from oak I have read that the best way to make a bow is from the heart of the tree but everytime I make the bow from the base of the tree its always too stiff and just snaps on me after trimming it down I have tried making bows from branches from the oak tree and have had good success any tips or things I should try to do to be able to make a bow from the base of the oak tree, thanks
clarky		#1	[-]
Posts: 31 (06/27/09 7:12 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	i have read somewhere that the best thing to do is use the flexible outer layer of the tree for the outer side of the bow and use the inner layer for the stronger belly of the bow that way you get flexibility and strength
toxophileken		#2	[-]
Posts: 7831 (06/27/09 9:02 PM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Welcome to the forum! I'm moving your thread to where it belongs, so you will get more replies. We'll remove this shadow topic from the tutorial section later on. Oak can be a very good bow wood. Not quite sure what problem you're having... If you use the outer layer of wood under the bark as the bow back and get the wood properly dried (not to green, not too dry), you should be fine. Ken
devin	good bow woods	#3	[-]
Posts: 37 (06/30/09 4:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Look for bay, it's good and easier to work than Oak. I've made one bow from oak and it was a very small tree, so I used the outside edge for the back of the bow.
Salvador 06		#4	[-]
Posts: 604 (06/30/09 5:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	With oak you don't use the "heart of the tree" you use the sapwood, the wood under the bark. What you read about "heart of the tree" applies to osage and locust.
George Tsoukalas		#5	[-]
Posts: 3543 (06/30/09 6:32 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There's info on my site. Jawge http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
Taylor45		#6	[-]
Posts: 2 (07/03/09 5:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	thanks for the advice guys the problem I have with oak is I only have blue oak which is known for its quality acorns and not known for good bow wood because of twisted grain so Im prolly going to have to make it around 2-3 inches wide and back it with sinew or some other backing
toxophileken		#7	[-]
Posts: 7892 (07/04/09 9:08 AM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Don't use twisted grain wood of any species, and definitely don't waste time and material sinew backing twisty, iffy wood. Look for Bay, as mentioned, as well as juniper, Black Locust, and even yew. There are other oaks as well... Keep your eyes out. White oak and Garrey oak are even better than red oak, from what I've been told. Ken
Springbuck		#8	[-]
Posts: 366 (07/08/09 8:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Not familiar with Northern Cali, but I will add to the list of known bow woods. There are lots of ways to obtain wood;evertything from ebay to getting to know local arborists. Manzanita, juniper, chokecherry, plum, serviceberry, toyon holly, bay, myrtle, elm, walnut, any hard maple, mulberry, stuff like that to look for. good luck.

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