Sonoran Scrub Oak

[Jmilbrandt]

I just got a nice stave or Sonoran Scrub Oak. I don't know if anyone has ever attempted to make a bow out of it but i'm going to give it a try. I was hoping some of you guys might have some ideas for the layout. It is a very dense wood I did the density test described in the bowyers bible 4 and came up with .90 sg. The wood is also very attractive it has a white sapwood and dark gold heartwood with black streaks. I was also wondering do you guys think I should remove the sapwood? I would like to leave some on for looks. I'm not even sure I can remove it because I really can't see growth rings. Any ideas?

[Justin Snyder]

I left the sapwood on. It worked out OK. I went a little wider (1 5/8) since I hadn't used it before. Justin

[Jmilbrandt]

Ok i'll try it. Now that you have made a bow from it do you think you could have gone narrower? Thanks Justin.

[billy]

Steve Allely made a scrub oak bow a few years back that's based on an old anasazi bow found in a cave.  It worked out well, although the wood was so heavy that when you shot it you could tell it was throwing a lot of excess weight forward.  Get the tips narrow and I think you'll have a winner.