Locust Question Not Black and not honey ???

[Sidewinder]

I have read that the some Indian tribes, aside from Osage, valued Black Locust as well. It looks like its naturally camoflaged and stained. As I understand it is worked like Osage in following the single ring on the back. Very cool looking wood and that particlular log looks like it has nice growth rings.  Danny

[richpierce]

Rich

Thats why the locust grow taller and straighter at out camp,, the mountains are high and the valleys are deep so the trees tend to grow straighter , plust the growing season is shorter.

wvflintknapper

Sounds wonderful, God's country.  Course, it's all God's country!
I have been very impressed with my first 2 locust bows.  Both came out lighter than I intended because I am new at bow building and learning how to tiller a flat bellied bow.  But the one for me is 48# at 29" and is a pretty quick shooting bow.  I found that even if the log looks straight, the grain can have a mind of its own, but can be worked well with heat.  I have one half log left that I am trying to decide how to work.  It has a branch about 3/4" in diameter right in the middle of where one limb would be, but the rest of the stave is great.

[carpenter374]

Posted on: December 27, 2007, 10:34:07 PMPosted by: Sidewinder 
Insert Quote
I have read that the some Indian tribes, aside from Osage, valued Black Locust as well


Cherokee longbows were mostly d tillered black locust.

[Sidewinder]

I thought I had read that somewhere but didn't want to  get specific on the tribe in case I was wrong. Thanks for the info Carpenter. Danny

[wvfknapper]

Rich

Thats been my statement since we bought the property 15 years ago,, The mountains are very tall over 3000 ft (High for wv) Trout stream in the back yard,, 25000 acres of National forest within walking distance.

Dont get any better

wvflintknapper