Anyone done a bow outta yellow locust?

[mcginnis6010]

I have access to a mountain of BL and I've made a couple of bows from it before that were given away. So I've been thinking on if yellow locust could make a good potential bow wood. Any thoughts?

[DarkSoul]

What is yellow locust? You're also using the abbreviation "BL", which I assume means black locust. What scientific name does yellow locust have? Never heard that term before.

[lostarrow]

I'm Guessing you are refering to honey or sunburst?. I have some staves , but haven't tried them yet. Beautiful colour.Nothing like black locust. Seems more like Oak /Ash/Elm sort of stuff.Have you tried the seach bar?

[rossfactor]

I'm pretty sure Yellow Locust is the same species as Black Locust, both Robinia pseudoacacia. Honey Locust is Gleditsia triacanthos.

Gabe

[Pat B]

Thanks Gabe. Its great to see the proper name for specific woods, the ONLY true name. 

[turtle]

My father always calls black locust yellow locust. Had me confused when i first started into bow making.

[mcginnis6010]

Sorry guys I meant honey locust. Around here some people call it yellow locust.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

intrestig. Honey Locust seeems more like White Wood than BL. It is also weaker, and rots easier too.
The entire Locust family is very resistant to rot though.
Try making an ash-weight bow from it as a test.

[rossfactor]

Made one outta Honey locust along time ago in the way back machine well ok, maybe only five years ago or so.  Anyway  here is the only pic and its not a good one:



The wood worked pretty easily, it seemed very dense and took little set. Also very beautiful.  I left on the sap wood which contrasted nicely with the yellow heartwood, but you can't see that from the pic.  This bow was 44# at 28 inches and 62" ntn.

Gabe

[mikekeswick]

intrestig. Honey Locust seeems more like White Wood than BL. It is also weaker, and rots easier too.
The entire Locust family is very resistant to rot though.
Try making an ash-weight bow from it as a test.

What do you mean 'an ash weight bow'??
Ash will make any weight of bow.

[Pappy]

I have made a few Honey Locust years ago,You use the sap wood in them,at least I did as with BL you use the heart wood,may be in the same family but not near the same wood. It made a OK bow,just make it a little wider and longer and
the limbs are a little thicker for the same weight,at least that was my experience with it.   
   Pappy

[mcginnis6010]

Thanks everyone I'm glad that some of you have made bows from it and they turned out good. Well honestly if no one had I would've been too hard headed to not try anyway LOL. I've git a real nice long and knot free stave to start working on. Ill post pics as I go along. Any advice for this particular wood other that the advice given by pappy? Which I appreciate Pappy. Thanks!

[Thesquirrelslinger]

I meant ash style- width, etc. That cross section can be done with any wood, and it is pretty good.
Or so I gained when reading TBB vol 1.
I am about to try that with ash- maybe a 45-50 pounder, not sure yet.
-Squirrel

[blackhawk]

I meant ash style- width, etc. That cross section can be done with any wood, and it is pretty good.
Or so I gained when reading TBB vol 1.
I am about to try that with ash- maybe a 45-50 pounder, not sure yet.
-Squirrel

What's an ash style bow?...never heard of it..and how does style have anything to do with a weight of a bow?..and what cross section are you referring to?..and how do you know its good?.....you seem to be digging yourself a nice lil hole here....maybe gain some more experience before trying to regurgitate some misinterpreted stuff you read online somewhere or in a book.....

[Slackbunny]

I meant ash style- width, etc. That cross section can be done with any wood, and it is pretty good.
Or so I gained when reading TBB vol 1.
I am about to try that with ash- maybe a 45-50 pounder, not sure yet.
-Squirrel

What's an ash style bow?...never heard of it..and how does style have anything to do with a weight of a bow?..and what cross section are you referring to?..and how do you know its good?.....you seem to be digging yourself a nice lil hole here....maybe gain some more experience before trying to regurgitate some misinterpreted stuff you read online somewhere or in a book.....

I think there might be a case of mistaken identity here. That isn't squirrelslayer. This guy actually seems to know a thing or two.

I think he was just meaning that you should treat it like ash when making design decisions.