Vine Maple Staves

[Maxspin]

I visited Brian Melton “Vine Maple” on Sunday. I spent 5 hours looking at his bows staves and wood. He took me to one of his stave collecting sites and we cut a couple of Vine Maple staves for me to take home. I have never seen so much Vine Maple that grows that big or that straight.




The pictures do not even tell the story. It was growing everywhere. Brian can afford to be very selective. looking only for straight long pieces. If you didn't see anything you liked, walk 100 feet or another 100 feet or another.... As you can see this stuff is mostly growing vertical. There is no compression or tension side to these trees.

I took home six to play with.

I bought 3 staves from Brian while I was there.
A Vine Maple, a Cascara, and an Oregon Ash.

Thanks again Brian

Keith

[vinemaplebows]

It was fun, but that lemon wood....stressfull!

[Dictionary]

what lengths do you cut them?

[bow101]

Nice picking. Have to find some of that Vine Maple mmee self.   

[vinemaplebows]

Cutting billets 33-36... staves 54-70. you don't need 70 for vine maple, but you can find it.