Breaking in a self bow
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
Thanks Grayson.
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
Red Ash should also work fine IMO Fraser.
Jeff
Jeff
Re: Breaking in a self bow
I can't find much info on red ash Jeff, when I googled it, it said grew along most of he east coast, and had several comman names, including coppers wood, soap bush, and leather jacket. Are these the same tree your taking about?
Fraser.
Fraser.
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
Yeah mate that is the one. Take a look at my post in this thread as I have photos attached of it. http://www.ozbow.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.p ... sh#p131027Fraser wrote:it said grew along most of he east coast, and had several comman names, including coppers wood, soap bush, and leather jacket. Are these the same tree your taking about?
Jeff
Re: Breaking in a self bow
I know the tree Jeff, lots of it around here. What makes a better stave, the trunk or a limb?
Fraser.
Fraser.
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
Definitely the trunk mate. You can just take the bark off and the outside of the tree is the back of the bow. This is a really old photo but is the only one I have on the computer of a Red Ash English longbow that Dennis La Varenne made my son back in the 90's. You can't see much detail but the back of the bow was the wood straight under the bark and you can see the limbs have a few wobbles in them.
Jeff
Jeff
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
Thanks Jeff, what's good reading for making selfbows?
Fraser
Fraser
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Re: Breaking in a self bow
The Traditional Bowyers Bibles. There should be some good threads on hear from Daryl (Greybeard) and Dennis La Varenne also.
Jeff
Jeff
Re: Breaking in a self bow
Thanks
Re: Breaking in a self bow
I'm based in Tassie so I'm not too well up on the Big Island's timbers, but I've heard some good reports on certain Wattles. When I make a selfbow I find it easier to work from a split stave. They tend to be stronger in my experience. I'm not sure what you'd classify as a heavy bow? I'm pretty sure Turbow, Cliff turpin, who's up your way (4034 wherever that is?) uses wattle. Maybe you could find out from him what species? I'd like to know myself. he does Spotted Gum board bows, but they're only light weight. For a warbow you'd want to be sure of your timber. They could give you a fair smack round the head!Fraser wrote:A little of topic, but does any one know if some one has made a heavy self bow out of one the Australian timbers: Brigalow, Gidgee, or something else?
Fraser
Re: Breaking in a self bow
Job, the wieght of a heavy bow can be a bit debatable, most people call 80# and above heavy, but it depends on the person. I currently shot a 95# and a 120#. From what I can gather a lot of the acacias can make self bows. Going to have to do a fair bit of reading first.job wrote:I'm based in Tassie so I'm not too well up on the Big Island's timbers, but I've heard some good reports on certain Wattles. When I make a selfbow I find it easier to work from a split stave. They tend to be stronger in my experience. I'm not sure what you'd classify as a heavy bow? I'm pretty sure Turbow, Cliff turpin, who's up your way (4034 wherever that is?) uses wattle. Maybe you could find out from him what species? I'd like to know myself. he does Spotted Gum board bows, but they're only light weight. For a warbow you'd want to be sure of your timber. They could give you a fair smack round the head!Fraser wrote:A little of topic, but does any one know if some one has made a heavy self bow out of one the Australian timbers: Brigalow, Gidgee, or something else?
Fraser
Fraser.