hand splitting chokecherry

[Blacktail]

i was thinking of getting some chokecherry..just to try a different wood.i have herd it makes a pritty good bow...BUT,does any one know how it splits...john

[usmcsgt]

Hey John,

 I haven't had any trouble splitting Chokecherry. Are you still in Oregon ? On most of the Chokecherry that I used before, I just took the draw knife to it and sealed the areas that I worked and clamped it down (since these were smaller saplings).

[IdahoMatt]

I have heard mixed reviews.  I took mine to the band saw.  It worked nice.  I'm currently working one with quite a bit if character.  I'll share my results in a couple months  ,  I'm slow

[kleinpm]

I am guessing that the CC in Oregon is similar to the stuff we have in Montana. I have made three CC bows  - I have never seen a CC that wasn't twisted enough to make splitting impossible. I don't know that i have seen one big enough to split either.

I ignore the twist and rough out the bow, clamp to something, and let it dry.

Patrick