Wooden Compared to Bamboo Cores
I am going to have to make a wooden core for the remake of my Korean bow. This is because I just got some new bamboo, but it is different from the old stuff I had. This bamboo is about 2/3rds of the thickness and it is from a smaller diam. log. This made it incredibly dificult to get a 3/16" thick core from that is 1" wide and has the belly side flattened.
So I am going to use some white oak that has very straight grain.
Does anyone have any thoughts about the differences wood will give as opposed to a bamboo core?
I think the handle will be more secure since there isn't a node there, but it will be heavier and probably slower.
So I am going to use some white oak that has very straight grain.
Does anyone have any thoughts about the differences wood will give as opposed to a bamboo core?
I think the handle will be more secure since there isn't a node there, but it will be heavier and probably slower.
In China, bamboo or wood were almost used interchangeably for the core. The wood needs to be sufficiently flexible and woods of the mulberry family are preferred.
hi Samuraiwarrior,
I would not use white oak for the core.I?ve done selfbows out of this wood,and I?ve given it up.Very sluggish and a lot of string-follow.
I guess that in every region where bamboo was available,the bowyers preferred bamboo,in the average bamboo makes a better core.
But if you can get a real great bowstave(good growthrings and straight fibres,air-dried long enough) take it.I make my cores of mulberry,black locust and maple(canadian):
I assume that in the regions where bamboo is growing,you can?t find good wood for bows?
I would not use white oak for the core.I?ve done selfbows out of this wood,and I?ve given it up.Very sluggish and a lot of string-follow.
I guess that in every region where bamboo was available,the bowyers preferred bamboo,in the average bamboo makes a better core.
But if you can get a real great bowstave(good growthrings and straight fibres,air-dried long enough) take it.I make my cores of mulberry,black locust and maple(canadian):
I assume that in the regions where bamboo is growing,you can?t find good wood for bows?