Hi all, Here is a bow I finished up a little bit ago. It is made of European Buckthorn, (Rhamnus cathartica), an introduced, invasive tree that grows like a weed in the mid west. I have made 3 bows from this wood so far and it has suprised me. It is very good in tensile strength. Compression strength seems to vary from tree to tree but so far no frets. It has a thin cream colored sapwood and a beautiful redish- orange to yellow heartwood, not unlike yew. Buckthorn is small diameter and twisted so finding usable staves is difficult. A word of clarity here; Buckthorn is NOT the same as Cascara, which grows in the pacific north west. Same Genus, different species. About the bow;63" ntn, 53# @ 28",1 1/8" at handle flaring to 1 1/4" at mid limb then tapering to 1/2" nocks. I honestly did not expect this bow to survive past tillering due to some imperfections on the back and a thin growth ring on the back but buckthorn is an amazing wood!The stave started out with about 4 1/2" of reflex and kept 2 1/2" of it. It is a smooth drawing fast shooting bow. Finished with tru oil and past wax. Thanks for looking.
God bless, Cody
