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osage in europe?

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dutchwarbow	osage in europe?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 535 (07/03/09 8:44 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	can anybody recommend a specific supplier of osage in europe? Anything; billets, boards for boo-backed and full length staves, input is very welcome
bambule		#1	[-]
Posts: 285 (07/03/09 11:19 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Yeah Nick, I have some addresses in Germany and Hungary. I'll be on a holiday trip the next two weeks but after that pm me and I will give you the names etc... Greetz Cord
fusizoli		#2	[-]
Posts: 350 (07/03/09 11:30 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Yes Nick Here is a lot but as u see I didn t cut any yet next wood collecting tripp may be, more difficult as I tought.....
mijn hobby		#3	[-]
Posts: 882 (07/04/09 3:09 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nick, That Black locust stave you were working on last sunday at the Dutch bowmaking gathering is the next best thing, If the piece you were handling is dry you've got yourself some very good BL there. From what i've seen your wood is about 0.85 sg and that means it's about as good as osage. No need to look for that hard to get osage just cut another BL tree and odds are you'll find an equally dense piece on your next visit to the woods. Seems to me Holland has about the ideal climate for black locust to grow dense and strong. Mark
DarkSoul		#4	[-]
Posts: 429 (07/04/09 11:54 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	mijn hobby wrote: (...) Seems to me Holland has about the ideal climate for black locust to grow dense and strong. Mark Hm...I actually had the exact opposite opinion. The black locust I've worked with had thin rings, too much earlywood, chrysalled too easily and was of mediocre density. This might very well have to do with the fact that my black locust was cut from dry, sandy places. I can find plenty of BL, but it has let me down so far. (I should mention I've made only one shooter from Dutch BL, but I've got about five staves laying around still, cut from three different places.) Sorry if this is a bit off topic... Ebay Osage stave from Hungary "Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu." Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286
dutchwarbow		#5	[-]
Posts: 543 (07/04/09 3:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	thanks for your input! hungary seems to be the place Nick
toxophileken		#6	[-]
Posts: 7903 (07/04/09 10:57 PM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I've said it before, and I'll say it again here... Mediocre bow wood is mediocre bow wood, whether it is osage, yew, or whatever. The only good thing about mediocre osage and yew, IMHO, is that the name makes it still sell well... It benefits the seller. If you're going to pay good money for osage or yew (or whatever bow wood), make sure you are getting quality stuff. Otherwise, you may well find out it isn't any better than what you have available for free or cheap where you are. Anytime you buy bow wood, you should be buying from a guy who 1) knows what he's talking about (usually meaning he makes bows), and 2) is fair dealing and honest. Some guys know what they are talking about, and use that to take advantage of suckers. They know just the buzz words to make the sale. Maybe they cull off their iffy junk and pawn it off on others... Find out about the guy. Get photos of his bows and his wood. Make sure he knows what he is talking about and get a feeling if you trust him... Otherwise you are really gambling, and probably against a stacked deck. Good osage and yew (and other bow woods) are of a whole different sort than mediocre bow woods... Mediocre staves such as Jorik mentioned are for beginners who will probably ruin them while they learn to use their tools. Premium staves are for bowyers who know what they are doing, and who will make the most of them. If you can find premium elm, hickory, BL, and ash (among others), they will do just fine while you are searching out premium osage and yew. Junk osage and yew is nothing special... But there is plenty of it out there, and plenty of guys who will ask for more money than it is worth. And they'll get it, because of the mystique surrounding those names... Ken
mijn hobby		#7	[-]
Posts: 884 (07/05/09 2:24 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jorik, you could be right. I've got my BL from forest areas with good soil and plenty of water, but still relatively thin rings about 2mm thick. It gives me strong dense wood. Ken, you hit the nail on the head. Mark

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Traditional Bowyer's Bible Books By Jim Hamm