anyone tried greenheart?

[dragonman]

I just found out I can get some greenheart, supposed to be harder than ipe! was wondering if anyone had tried it because it aint cheap?. Bet it will make a mean bow?

[Cromm]

Hi,
Pip Bickerstaffe loves the stuff.

[PatM]

 Chris Boyton as well. It's supposed to be great stuff.

[Justin Snyder]

I don't know who told you it was harder than Ipe, but if you look at the Janka hardness test, Ipe is 3680 lbs while greenheart is 2350 lbs.

[dragonman]

Thanks guys, thats helpful, seems like its worth buying a plank. There is a company that will deliver a 6foot x6"x2" to my door for £50, only trouble I cant see it first , bit of a risk, but if its good should be able to get  quite a few bows out of it. They say it usually straight and Knot free. Justin, looks like I got wrong info. on hardness from them though!!. should I risk it????h ???mmmm

[mullet]

 If you're backing it, why not.

[Gordon]

The Brits and Scotts used to make two-handled fly rods out of the stuff. If it will do for a fly-rod, it will certainly make a bow.

[kiwijim]

Alot of Greenheart is sold as Ipe, and alot of Ipe is sold as Greenheart. It can be very difficult to tell the difference.

[Et_tu_brute]

Greenheart makes a great laminated bow, both as a core and belly (I've used it for both). Here's a bow I made with a greenheart belly quite recently http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,16770.msg231162.html#msg231162

[Jude]

I don't know who told you it was harder than Ipe, but if you look at the Janka hardness test, Ipe is 3680 lbs while greenheart is 2350 lbs.

When I googled "Janka Hardness Test", the Wikipedia chart listed Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale or Guaiacum sanctum) as the hardest trade wood, and when I looked that up, I found that an alternate name for Lignum Vitae is Greenheart and that may be the source of the confusion.  All species in that genus are listed as potentially endangered, so if you can find Lignum Vitea, I would get it while you still can.  I don't think it is ever traded in the US as Greenheart though, so your looking at "Chlorocardium rodiei", hardness=2350#