Madrone? for bow wood?

[majsnuff]

Hey I need help here.  A friend gave me a "Madrone" stave about 9'long that he got in Brownsville Or. I have never heard of anyone making  a bow of this wood and wonder if it is worth the attempt. The log he brought me is about 5"dia at the big end and only has one section 54" that is clear of knotts. The rest of this piece will make wonderful risers and limb tips (I think) but I would like to make a bow of it but only if that is a feasible task.
Anyone out there have any experience with this wood? Btw it is fresh cut so  It will be a while before I even attempt a bow.
thanks in advance
majsnuff

[radius]

is it a hardwood?  i would basically try any hardwood

[tumalt]

I haven't used it, but I have heard that it is hard but very brittle and isn't good bow wood.  Hopefully someone else who has given it a shot will chime in. 

[radius]

oh hey!

there's the "slat test"

saw urself a strip of it, say a foot long, inch wide, 1/8" thick...check its bend...apparently it's accurate, not so much for that kind of wood in general but for the actual piece on hand

[majsnuff]

Thanks for the idea Radius, I will give that a try.

[Gordon]

I once inspected a bamboo backed madrone bow that was being made by a student of John Strunk. I was impressed with how little wood there was for such a strong bow.

[mullet]

 What is Madrone? I've had the priveledge of playing with the other good woods from Washington and Oregon, compliments of Brian Melton. But, I never heard of that wood.