Shortish European Buckthorn stave

[TacticalFate]

I've got three ~63in European Buckthorn staves, split from a 5" log. Staves are clean except for a few pin knots on the back, and are 2 and 1/4 in. at the fades. Would it be possible to get a 45lbr at 27-28" with a stiff handle, or should I go for a bendy handle, such as the ones Cody has been making? 

[sharpend60]

A good rule of thumb is... minimum specs here...

2x draw length plus a few inches for bendy bow or 2x draw plus 8" to 10" (2x2" fades and 4" handle) for rigid handle.

Of course there are many variants.

If it were me and I had 3 staves.
I would do one of each and make the third stave the best of you findings.
It might take 3 staves to get hand of that particular wood.

[TacticalFate]

is there anything about this "particular wood" that is different from other woods?

[sharpend60]

I have no idea. Its your wood.

Each tree is a bit different.
Each species is even more different.
Each bowyer is different still.

There are no absolutes when dealing with natural materials.
Only you can compare it to other experiences you may have.
Wood sometimes does things you are not expecting.

More to the point, you can surely get a bow to pull 45lbs.

[blackhawk]

I'd say make a bendy or slight bendy first and see how that particular wood/tree responds,and how much set it takes,and the outcome then go from there to see if it can take the strain of a stiff handle at that draw length. You shouldn't have to go any wider than an 1 1/2" starting width at the fades with rhamnus cathartica with a 63" bendy flatbow ,and it'll probably end up being narrower than that for sure like closer to 1 1/4" or less. And narrow your handle section a lil less than your starting width.

Btw...where are you indoors with drinking fountains on the wall with staves??? A school?..lol

[TacticalFate]

Actually its a dorm, heh. I go to SUNY-ESF, in Syracuse. My school has this awesome primitive skills club, that's how I got into bowmaking.

[blackhawk]

Lol...forgot to mention that this wood does well with heat treating and I recommend doing it. I've just made one bow with this wood, a stave I got in a trade from Cody.

[Badly Bent]

Have to say TF thats a nice looking stave and should make a beautiful bow. Don't know much about buckthorn myself but I too am working on one now that I'm in the early stages of floor tiller with. Take Blackhawk and Sharpened advice is what I would recomend, that's what I'm doing on mine and I'll be hitting them up for more pointers before I'm thru with it I imagine.
Greg