Privet sapling ,bark on(pics of bark added)

[CherokeeKC]

Awesome bow!  I have a privet sapling waiting to b a bow also.  Can you post a pic of the back w bark on?

[simson]

This is a beautiful little bow. Good tiller.
Some years ago I saw a Elb made out of privet, it looked like bone.

Btw. I have made arrows out of privet shoots, for me by far the best under the wooden shoots.

[lostarrow]

Wow, I didn't think this little experiment would generate this much interest.   Thanks for all the comments guys!  I have 6-8 more staves (bigger and better) . Now that I know what it can do, I'll see if maybe I can make a nice trade bow out of it!Thanks for the info on the shafts Simson. There is a whole hedge being removed this year. I hope I'm not too late! I'll see if I have a pic of the back ,Cherokee.If not, I'll get one.

[lostarrow]

Here you go Cherokee. Just sanded the nock area down about four inches . Just enough so the string would slide smoothly. Doesn't really look different , just smoother. Put a coat of bee's wax on  .  That's it. The bark  is still tight as ever after about 250 shots or so.

[DGF]

Leaving that bark on sure gave it a nice, rustic appearance. Cool looking bow!

-Dan

[mikekeswick]

Cool bow.
I've just got a load of privet staves upto 4 inch diameter from an ancient hedge. I'm looking forward to it being dry!

[lostarrow]

Nice! I think the larges I have is about 3" but very dense.

[Buffalogobbler]

Very cool, I could not imagine making such a nice bow in two hours.

Kevin

[CherokeeKC]

Thanks for the pics!  Thats awesome.  Is there any chance the bark will separate from the wood eventually?  That question is to anyone who might know.

[rossfactor]

There's always a chance. More if it dries out.  On the other hand I've got 3 year old plum bows with the bark on that are shooting fine, showing no signs of separating.

Gabe

[rossfactor]

This is a sweet bow by the way.  Right up my alley.  Love sapling and branch bows.

Gabe

[Josh B]

Real cool!  I really like limb bows as well!  Josh