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Author Topic: Hackberry  (Read 1876 times)

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Offline Thesquirrelslinger

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Hackberry
« on: February 05, 2014, 02:44:51 pm »
marvelous wood, is it not?
I recently found a 6" diam tree of it... 50 feet tall or so... forming an arch over a creek because a big ole rotten oak fell on it. creek is about 25' wide.
It is very odd to see. my mind is saying... WHY HASN'T THIS BROKEN YET?
If I were to cut this tree... would it be any good for bows?
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"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

Offline Joec123able

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2014, 03:01:02 pm »
Come on of course it is it's like rubber In fact I think if you took two wide limbed flatbows one from Osage and one from hackberry I think the Osage would break first under tension
« Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 10:21:19 pm by Joec123able »
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I like osage

Offline Hrothgar

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2014, 03:12:53 pm »
Great straight-grained, light weight wood.
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" To be, or not to be"...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Offline smoke

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2014, 03:45:49 pm »
Very good stuff - I'll be chopping on some tonight!
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Offline beetlebailey1977

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    • Bowhunters of South Carolina
Re: Hackberry
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2014, 09:22:52 pm »
It loves to bend......
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Happy hunting to all!
Bowhunters of South Carolina Executive council member
Professional Bowhunters Society Associate member

Reevesville, SC     James V. Bailey II

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2014, 10:09:17 pm »
Quote from: beetlebailey1977 on February 05, 2014, 09:22:52 pm
It loves to bend......

It loves to bend...as in making a bow.  I have found it does not like to keep a bend when heat treated or steamed.  Some others have had this experience, too.  Luckily it has a tendency to grow with straight grain and little or no twist!
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Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2014, 12:23:38 am »
Quote from: JW_Halverson on February 05, 2014, 10:09:17 pm
Quote from: beetlebailey1977 on February 05, 2014, 09:22:52 pm
It loves to bend......

I have found it does not like to keep a bend when heat treated or steamed. 

Now I don't think you have ever said one thing I disagreed with Sir the entire time I have been here, but I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one, or only regarding my experiences at least. I have steamed the crud out of hackberry, and never had much of any spring back at all, if any.
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Joec123able

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2014, 12:47:24 am »
Quote from: toomanyknots on February 06, 2014, 12:23:38 am
Quote from: JW_Halverson on February 05, 2014, 10:09:17 pm
Quote from: beetlebailey1977 on February 05, 2014, 09:22:52 pm
It loves to bend......

I have found it does not like to keep a bend when heat treated or steamed. 

Now I don't think you have ever said one thing I disagreed with Sir the entire time I have been here, but I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one, or only regarding my experiences at least. I have steamed the crud out of hackberry, and never had much of any spring back at all, if any.

I agree with toomany
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I like osage

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Hackberry
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2014, 10:07:44 pm »
Ok, I will amend my statement.  Hackberry doesn't like to take or keep a bend for me!Your mileage may vary, as mine certainly did. 

All that being said, hackberry is in my top 3 favorite woods for making bows.  Finished bows are very lightweight in the hand, and I love the pale almond color of the unstained wood.
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Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.
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