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Author Topic: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?  (Read 13357 times)

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Offline autologus

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Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« on: April 29, 2013, 02:49:13 pm »
I was wondering how you all thought of common hawthorn as a bow wood?  I have found a nice little hawthorn behind my shop that is about 2" in diameter and fairly straight except for a nice reflexive bend that would be in a good handle location.  Any advice with this wood, it looks like it would be quite dense and have lots of character.  Also how would I deal with tiny limbs? Just leave them as raised knots?

Grady
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Offline aaron

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 03:00:23 pm »
I have wondered about hawthorne too. I think the tiny branches could be left as raised knots- I wouldn't try to cut 'em too low. Specific gravity from TBB vol 4 is .83 (crataegus sp.). Should make a good bow based on that.
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Offline DarkSoul

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2013, 03:32:06 pm »
It is reported to be excellent bowwood - IF you can find a piece that is big enough without defects. And that's a huge if.

Run a search for "hawthorn" or "hawthorne". You will find plenty of info.

Seriously, run a search.
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Offline dwardo

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2013, 04:18:37 pm »
My only experience was about the same dimensions as yours and unfortunately for me I tried to split it, and ruined it.
Checks badly and splits even worse and that coming from someone who splits elm all the time.
Shame as it was looking like a great bow woo. So if you do cut it saw rather than split,.
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Offline bubby

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2013, 04:28:44 pm »
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Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2013, 04:35:22 pm »
We have  a native species of black hawthorn and an introduced english hawthorn common in a lot neighborhoods.  I want to try them both, but it is tough to find a straight piece.  Although just last weekend I saw a hawthorn bow made by Jim Rempp that was a straight flat bow made from a stave with at least 30 degree twist.  He simply ignored the grain and cut a straight bow from it.  It came out just fine, actually really nice!  I might start being less critical of choosing a piece of hawthorn after seeing that bow. 
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Offline hatcha

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2013, 04:59:48 pm »
There was an article a few years ago called "The Hawthorn Bow Buck" which told of the details of harvesting a buck and also of making the bow.  I'd need to flip through my copies of PA to find what issue and the author's name.
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Offline bow101

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2013, 05:04:34 pm »
Its diffuse porous so there is no ring to chase. It drys quite slowly, I have some drying now. Early May it will be 2 months, I can start cutting the biggest peice about 4 inches round, may get 2 bows out of it.  Ya it takes a long time to dry. Will try putting some out in the sun see how that does.. ???
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Offline dragonman

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2013, 05:32:47 pm »
yes , hawthorn is a very good bow wood...its a hard and strong wood, and will easily make a good bow, if you can find a piece that is suitable...thats the hard part.... I have never had a problem drying it. except for when it has grown twisted.

dave
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Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2013, 06:32:25 pm »
Carson,

              Look in unlogged swamps, that's where I find it. It has a nasty need to twist, with that said if you can determine the grain is straight from the bark, saw it. I prefer to cut it in the dead of winter saw , split whatever....seal the ends leave it out side where rain can not get to it where it will stay cool.

VMB
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Offline Zion

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2013, 07:49:18 pm »
Makes a very good bow, However it warps if dried wrong, checks quite easily, is very prone to tear-outs, and will chrysal if it is not seasoned long enough. I've learned there isn't much of a point making bows unless the wood is well seasoned. That's what the stuff i work with acts like, there's a lot of variation in hawthorn tho. 
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Offline bow101

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2013, 08:04:51 pm »
Yup.......does it twist after its shaped or as its drying....?  The stuff I have is quite straight.
Zion I know you are making bows in short order correct?, like 2-3 months after sitting outside... ::)
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Offline Thesquirrelslinger

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2013, 08:55:48 pm »
I have some hawthorne and want to try it.
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Offline autologus

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2013, 04:48:54 pm »
The stuff we have here is gnarly and crooked as a barrel of snakes.  :laugh:

Grady
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Offline bow101

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Re: Common Hawthorn as a bow wood?
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2013, 05:04:19 pm »
Quote from: autologus on April 30, 2013, 04:48:54 pm
The stuff we have here is gnarly and crooked as a barrel of snakes.  :laugh:

Grady

Mmmm i guess it depends what area of N-america you are at. Here on the pacific coast it seems to grow straight, not much gnarl at all     
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