Mahogany for a core in a tri-lam english longbow?

[toomanyknots]

I have been thinking of using mahogany for a core in a tri-lam elb lately. It is nice and light, with a pleasant color to it. I am think the lightness will add cast to the bow. Anybody got any thoughts? I was using eastern red cedar for a core, and the bows were turning out light and fast, but the stupid eastern red cedar I got won't glue to nothing, it is very powdery and brittle stuff. It always explodes too... 

[Joec123able]

I've heard mahongony is brittle

[toomanyknots]

I've heard mahongony is brittle

I know it is used for guitars and guitar necks alot?

[Joec123able]

Wish I could help ya out, mahongony isnt brought up to much in bow making

[mikekeswick]

Ask for the latin name of the wood. Mahogany is a name now used for various woods.
Brittle is a bit of a misleading term when talking about bow wood in my opion. Best way to tell if it will work is to do some bend tests and make a mini tri-lam about 20 inches long. They are fun and as long as you make them to scale will act just the same as a full sized bow.

[DarkSoul]

Run a search for mahogany. You probably won't find a lot. That's weird, since it's a pretty common wood. My guess would be that it is just not good in its bending properties. Guitars are static objects where sound matters more than strength. I think, but this just some gut feeling without any fundamental experience, the wood has a low shear strength. It may not hold up as a core.
I like Mike's suggestion though; making a minibow will tell you a lot about the wood, especially when you test it till destruction.

I'm thinking bubinga, jatoba or cherry would be a better choice for cores, with a pretty similar color.