Black Palm Raptor

[Flatliner]

Here's one I made for a bloke in Darwin recently. He wanted all Black Palm and I liked the idea . I posted a build-along on the Flatline bows face book page if you want to have a look.

https://www.facebook.com/FlatlineBows?ref=bookmarks

Bow stats; Flatline Raptor, 58" n-n, 58#@28'
Timber; All Black Palm, black phenolic reinforcing in the riser and nock tips.

I like how it came out.

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The last shot is at 30 inches.

Cheers, Rob.

[bstan86]

bloody hell that's a stunning grain - well done mate - absolutely beautiful.

is the palm hard to work with?

I think I heard somewhere that it splinters easily...

[Hamish]

Looks awesome!

[Flatliner]

Thanks guys.

Stan. Yes it is hard to work with and does indeed splinter along the grain easily but is unbelievably strong across the grain. And speaking of splinters, the splinters from this are every bit as nasty as the splinters from the bow tuff glass.

[Outbackdad]

Another great looking bow.

[bstan86]

Thanks guys.

Stan. Yes it is hard to work with and does indeed splinter along the grain easily but is unbelievably strong across the grain. And speaking of splinters, the splinters from this are every bit as nasty as the splinters from the bow tuff glass.

interesting Rob - I am really surprised we don't see it more often in bows given it's beauty - as you have shown.

[Flatliner]

interesting Rob - I am really surprised we don't see it more often in bows given it's beauty - as you have shown.

That's probably due to it being a very rare Timber more than any other reason, it's very hard to come by even here in Far North QLD where it grows.
And once you get hold of a log the recovery is limited cause the usable timber is only a band around the perimeter of the log about 20-25mm thick and is very labour intensive to mill.
But having said that it is a very high performing bow timber, arrow speeds for this bow using a 9 grain per pound of draw weight carbon arrows is 193 FPS.

Rob.

[bigbob]

I agree Rob, have used the red Palm in belly veneers and a bit in riser and it is a great performer speed wise. Not too good around the fade area on longbow risers as it will break away easily[ ask me!] but is used a great deal for high end stuff in Asia. Terrific bow from you as per usual. Your craftsmanship is probably without peer here in Aus and would hold its own against any in the world at large, mate.

[Stu Ballz]

Man that looks just awesome! !!!!

[Gringa Bows]

very nice

[rodlonq]

Great looking bow Rob. I'm sure it shoots as good as it looks. Hope the new owner gets to take some quality game with it.

Cheers... Rod

[matt61]

Looks good, but don't put it down in the bush, it will be hard to find.
Matt

[Muz1970]

Got to love the grain combination in the palm timber. Been out ripping into a pole today and made up some veneers. Don't think it will turn out as dark as this beauty though.

[Flatliner]

Hey Muz, where did you find your palm? and how thick is the usable part of the log?
If it is thin and light in colour it's probably a fairly young tree, I've found they have to be at least 25-30 years old before they are worthwhile milling.
How about a few photos. I'd like to see what you're working with.
It's a bit of fun recovering usable boards out of a log hey mate .

Cheers, Rob.

[Muz1970]

G'day Rob, My brother bought 4 palm posts years ago for a Bali type theme gazebo. There about 2.2m x 300mm at a guess. Just got the other 3 last weekend. They've been sitting in the old man's shed for 8 or more years. There pretty hard to handle by yourself and run through the band saw. Will endeavour to get some photos later on.

Glued up bow last week and the palm veneers split while in the form on the back of the bow. They also came out very dark, was hoping for a more grainy look. Will still function OK just has a funky look about it. Guessing I'll be making them a wee bit thicker next time. There very fibrous.

Cheers Muz

[Flatliner]

Wow Muz 300 mm,,, you sure it's black palm? I didn't think they got that big. Lucky you .

[Muz1970]

So I measure them, and there 2250mm x 200mm......I did say at a guess