Sitka spruce for core wood on light poundage horn bow?

5 posts2012live thread

IbowTue May 29, 2012 11:15 pm

Hi,
I came across some perfectly palralel grain old growth Sitka Spruce and was curious if anybody thinks that it could be used as a core wood for a low weight hornbow.
I've cut a 1/8th strip of the wood and can bend it around in a circle so I thought it might be good as a core wood.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

jack farrellWed May 30, 2012 1:27 am

You could use a close grain wood for arrows but is a total waste of time for a bow. I tried this decades ago for a bamboo backed core and it just yielded to what the bamboo wanted. It was just amazing.

radiusWed May 30, 2012 2:38 am

hi, i live in victoria; lived a couple years in vancouver. there is plenty of good bow wood growing all around you. vine maple, yew, black locust is plentiful, dogwood, all kinds of stuff. no need to use spruce. pm me and i'll tell you where to get great pieces of black locust

IbowWed May 30, 2012 7:38 pm

HI there,

Thanks for the advice. I usually use yew and vine maple for bow making. I was just curious with this sitka spruce that had such tight parallel grain if it would be worth a try.

Appreciate the advice and offer!

Thanks again.

mikekeswickThu Jun 07, 2012 6:53 am

No don't do it!
Earlywood / latewood - think hardish and very soft and weak.
Go look for some maple!