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Author Topic: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?  (Read 2921 times)

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Offline Dag

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Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« on: March 10, 2012, 07:48:51 am »
I was wondering if tigerwood is suitable for making a bow. It's specific gravity is .80 and it is a diffuse-porous tropical hardwood.  A local lumber liquidator just received a HUGE shipment of all shapes and sizes of tigerwood planks, boards, etc. I bought a 2x4 for some smaller projects and was just curious if anyone has made or has heard of someone making a bow from this stuff.
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Offline bubby

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2012, 04:06:21 pm »
yeah I've made a couple, beautyful wood when finished to, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2012, 04:09:35 pm »
I've heard of quite a few fine bows made from it.  The grain is very hard to see, especially in sawn boards which will be all you are going to see in the States.  I've been told to be very careful to not have much for grain runout on your limbs or else back it with a thin layer of hickory. 

I sanded a piece out to 600 grit once and buffed it with beeswax.  It takes a nice luster and has a wonderfully rich color.  Even if it makes a moderate bow, you will gain great points for style and beauty!
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Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Dag

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2012, 05:56:31 pm »
Yeah that was one of my apprehensions, the fact that the grain is difficult to see. It does look down right B-E-A-Utiful though!
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Offline rossfactor

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2012, 07:25:03 pm »
Had an unbacked flat bow blow up on me.  But definitely didn't have a good feel for grain violations as stated above.

Gabe
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Humboldt County CA.

Offline bubby

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2012, 07:32:13 pm »
i backed the ones i built, white oak and maple backings, Bub
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline DarkSoul

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Re: Goncalo Alves aka Tigerwood; Suitable for making a bow?
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2012, 02:03:08 pm »
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"Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu."
Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286
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