CAN a bow be made from a Xmas tree

[WillS]

Make sure you heat treat the belly by holding it over steaming eggnog.  Otherwise you increase the risk of the belly getting merrychris-als.  A nice simple ribbon will suffice for the grip, finished with a bow. 

Don't forget to add two jingle-bells tied into the string about 6 inches from each tip.  It will let the reindeer know you're coming when you shoot.

Reindeer antler for nock overlays of course.

[Marks]

Tinsel backing...hehe. That was a good one.

If this thing works then I'm with Will, reindeer antler overlays would be a must. If you want to go overboard you can drill out the knots like Jez said and get one of the battery powered Christmas lights strands to stick thru the holes up and down the bow.   

[Onebowonder]

I was going to suggest Elf skins for the backing, ...but then I remembered that those dudes control the Naughty List and changed my mind.

OneBow

[Slackbunny]

Who says history doesn't repeat itself? 

I personally wouldn't waste my time. If I'm gonna take the time and effort to make a bow, I want to get a good shooter out of it. But hey if that is what turns your crank then go for it.

[Mohawk13]

Sitting Here laughing a bit. But as I think about it, what better way to recycle a Christmas Tree, and have some fun to boot...Just don't tell Santa

[BowSlayer]

Make sure you heat treat the belly by holding it over steaming eggnog.  Otherwise you increase the risk of the belly getting merrychris-als.  A nice simple ribbon will suffice for the grip, finished with a bow. 

Don't forget to add two jingle-bells tied into the string about 6 inches from each tip.  It will let the reindeer know you're coming when you shoot.

Reindeer antler for nock overlays of course.

Nice. You've given me an idea

[Thesquirrelslinger]

yep...
so I might actually try that lights idea...
lol I intend to actually make this thing.

Wills, you made my day.
Mr. DGF, I would be happy to swap Xmas trees
Would a linen backing be a good idea?
Yes, I know this is stupid....
but I came across Bowslayer's post last year, and thought, challenge accepted.

[BowSlayer]

yep...
so I might actually try that lights idea...
lol I intend to actually make this thing.

Wills, you made my day.
Mr. DGF, I would be happy to swap Xmas trees
Would a linen backing be a good idea?
Yes, I know this is stupid....
but I came across Bowslayer's post last year, and thought, challenge accepted.

yeah go for it. and where are the pictures of the stave. i need to go find a bow worthy x mas tree now. is your wood seasoned?

[toomanyknots]

Doug fir is a different species than Frazier Fir. Frazier is a true fir, the true firs here on the west coast are quite brittle. When I was camping once I made a bow from a dead Doug fir branch. It  worked quite well but at the time I new even less than I know now.
don

I absolutely love this quote. Specifically the "It  worked quite well but at the time I knew even less than I know now." part. It just demonstrates perfectly how, sometimes, what we know can be more of a detriment, than a benefit. Try to do something that you know you can't do, and your bound to fail no matter your real chances of success, and vice versa.

[toomanyknots]

merrychris-als

 

[PatM]

I would say if the knots arn't to big leave it as is or chase a ring. if not then just drill out the knots.

What does this even mean?

[AH]

whatever you do, I wouldn't think backing it with bamboo would be a good idea.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

I would say if the knots arn't to big leave it as is or chase a ring. if not then just drill out the knots.

What does this even mean?

he means drill out the 3,000 pin knots that are present from the branches. I will probably just take off the bark, make the belly freakishly crowned, make the bow about 2" wide, and 80+ inches long... for a 25-35#@26 draw weight/length.

[JW_Halverson]

Note to self- just research by self and ask those few who will honestly anwser the question

Ever wonder why lawyers wear suits in court and not ice skates, a pink tu-tu, a Nixon rubber mask, and scuba tanks?  Because they wish to be taken seriously.

You have to admit your initial post was something of a silly nature and you should not be surprised to get silly answers.  Albeit, the tinsel backing answer was not only funny, but thought provoking.  Salting the sinew with strands of tinsel would create an interesting effect...if only there were some way to get hide glue to bind with tinsel.

My serious answer to your question?  I would tiller out a pine 2x4 with good grain first.  That will teach you some of the wood's characteristics upfront.  THEN think about tackling what would be considered a character stave.

[bow101]

Lol.......Apparently the west coast natives made bows from the Sitka spruce.