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Author Topic: Ash for bow wood  (Read 1833 times)

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Offline Dean Marlow

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Ash for bow wood
« on: October 05, 2012, 02:43:24 pm »
Guys was wondering what you think of Ash for making selfbows. I got several real good trees here and was wondering if I should cut a couple this winter or leave them alone. These are white ash. Also do you treat it like Hickory for dimensions ect. Dean
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Offline rossfactor

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2012, 02:49:52 pm »
I have really enjoyed making some bows with Ash.  Responds very well to heat. Strong in tension. I think there is lots of variability between ash species.  I believe white ash is better than Oregon Ash, but both make bows. I've heard (total hear-say alert!) that ash growing in swampy areas is the best.

Gabe
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Humboldt County CA.

Offline dwardo

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2012, 04:32:27 pm »
Made quite a few from our native UK ash. Varies a lot as said and definitely better in tension than compression. Recently managed to chrystal an ash bow that was too short too heavy and not wide enough.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2012, 06:11:29 pm by dwardo »
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Offline Dean Marlow

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2012, 04:37:16 pm »
Like I said mine is white ash. In the flat bow design what do you recommend  in width ect. Bows in the 66" length area. Dean
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Offline rossfactor

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2012, 04:40:51 pm »
I'd build it stiff handle, 1 7/8" at the fades, with pyramid or an Eiffel tower width taper to a 3/8 inch tip. Narrow and stiff for the outer 1/3 limb, with a gentle recurve to help string angle.

Gabe
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Humboldt County CA.

Offline DarkSoul

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    • Orion Bows
Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 04:57:13 pm »
Run a search for "ash" to get an infinite amount of tips and tricks that have been posted about ash in the past.
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"Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu."
Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286

Offline dwardo

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2012, 06:12:50 pm »
Quote from: Dean Marlow on October 05, 2012, 04:37:16 pm
Like I said mine is white ash. In the flat bow design what do you recommend  in width ect. Bows in the 66" length area. Dean

I would push up to 68 and 2 inch fades and go from there. If you get a nice bit and it behaves then pike it.
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Offline Dean Marlow

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Re: Ash for bow wood
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2012, 06:42:18 pm »
Sounds good fellows. Thanks for the info. Dean
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