does this look like a good piece

[danny f]

hi all, had a ride to a wood yard today that sells hardwood(there arent many that do round here) anyway i found this piece of white ash which is 2"x2" and 7ft long the grain is as straight as a die, the grain looks nice and tight. i was thinking i could poss get 2 bows out of it by having it cut down the centre but which way should it be cut?, do i have the very tight grain as the back of the bow or the slightly wider side grain as the back? the man in the yard said a bloke comes in all the time for ash to make bows and said he had been in this morning. so he must find the wood ok. also is this piece quarter cut? i dont have a clue lol.

[Bevan R.]

If it was me, I would cut it like this and make edge grain bows.

[Pat B]

I agree with Bevan. 

[danny f]

cheers for the reply, are edge grain bows as strong as other bows this will be my first proper bow. and will tillering be the same as with a standard grain bow. sorry for all the questions im a noob lol.

[Bevan R.]

I would back it with something, maybe brown paper bag or linen.
But Yes, edge grain bows are just fine. See Half Eyes latest little masterpiece. Edge grain osage. Tilling will be the same, take your time and get the limbs bending even. That looks like a good piece of wood to make a couple of bows from.

[Ifrit617]

With grain like it doesn't need a backing, but If it is your first bow, back it for sure..

Jon

[randman]

I agree with Bevan but only if the grain lines on the side that you are not showing look just like the side you are showing. If the grain lines are angled or run off on the side you are not showing there could be problems. That looks like a great piece of wood from the views you have shown. If the lines on the side are that straight also, That's a near perfect piece.

[bubby]

i dont think you need to back that, go edge grain like everyone said, what kind of bow do you want to build, i'd build flatbows and if it's a full 2"x2" you can get 4 bows out of that stick, at least three, Bub

[danny f]

cheers for all the advice. the grain is very straight on all four sides. there was more there with very good grain but i could only afford the one lol. they also had some nice pieces of white oak,  i was thinking along the flat bow route as i like the look of them.  does anyone know of any good build alongs on here before i do a search. the wood is not quite a full 2" its just over 1 3/4" so wil probably just go for 2 bows out of it so i have plenty of wood to work with. 

[bubby]

you can still get three bows, go with a pyramid design, four inch grip 2 1/2" fades 68" tip to tip, 66" ntn, full width at the fades and straight taper to 1/2" tips, you can glue on a  9" piece at the center for the grip fade area, i you start with the limbs a full half inch thick you should have plenty of meat to work with to tiller, there is a good board bow series on youtube, and it's a pyramid design, Bub

[Mesquite]

whats a board like that go for? 

[danny f]

thanks bubby i will have to check out the vids on youtube. mesquite  i paid £23 for the wood (im in the uk)  which is great  if i can get 3 bows out of it, they had plenty of good wood in there so i can see myself spending alot of time and money in there lol.

[Gus]

Today that would be $37.13 today...

Pretty piece of wood...

-gus

[Stickhead]

I had a similar piece of Osage recently, but not having access to a bandsaw, I picked a ring and made a single growth-ring back selfbow out of it.  That's always an option for you, if you don't want to glue on a handle.  I s'pose you'd prefer to try for 2 or 3 edge grainers, though.

[beetlebailey1977]

Edge grain it is......I agree with that.