drying times and suggestionss

[kid bow]

im looking for suggestions on how i should proceed with this bow. and how long should i dry it its about 5ft almost and has a D cross section

[adb]

When did you cut it?

[kid bow]

today at like 5:30 in the morning

[Shaun]

My recent hickory sapling bow was cut and left whole for a year and then roughed out and let dray another 6 months or so. Wood that is not entirely dry will take an awful set.

[kid bow]

ok well im not in any rush. i hope to have it ready by next bow hunting season.  i am taking friends for their first primitive bow hunt theres are done and the sinew is curingon theirs but i didnt make mine

[Dictionary]

I disagree. While yes, its definitely "safer" to leave wood for a year, you can have it dry in much less time.

Rough it out, get it bending at floor tiller a few inches. Put it somewhere in the house where the humidity is low.

Leave it for a month or so. Then check the floor tiller. If it feels somewhat spongey, leave it to dry more.  If it responds well, or feels a bit snappier at floor tiller now, then you can try long stringing it. If it takes any set during the bending under 10 inches of draw, it is still too wet.

I'd say if you do it correctly, you can have a safely dried bow under 2 or 3 months for sure and for certain.


Definitely take advantage of the hickory while its green though whether you will season it for a year or 3 months though. It is much easier to chop away all that extra wood now rather than when it is dry.

[kid bow]

very good suggestion. what about designing it . its got a D cross section on it now

[adb]

I have staves that have been drying for 5 years. Board bow wood is ready to go right away.

[kid bow]

well the only board wood we have were im at is red oak poplar and others i cant remember