vine maple vs sugar maple

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

is there much difference between the 2? i have lots of sugar maple and use it with good success, is it worth gettin my hands on some vine maple  or  is it about the same?

[david w.]

I have never used any maple But i from what i have read vine maple is better. The west coast indians made vinemaple with sinew backs under 3 ft.

Gordon will know this

[duffontap]

I've used Vine Maple, Rock Maple and Broad-Leaf Maple with good luck.  Vine maple is going to be different from all other maples by a long shot.  The good staves are very dense.  You will undoubtedly find it burdensome to work but it turns into some very fine bows in patient hands. 

                     J. D.

[Hillbilly]

I've often wondered if Japanese maple wouldn't be a good bow wood. It seems very similar to vine maple in appearance, weight, and growth habit. Plus, it's planted all over the place as an ornamental. Anybody tried it?

[Coo-wah-chobee]

....Yes have used Japanese Maple Steve. EH !- its ok . I likes sugar maple better .Have never had vine maple ta use so dont know 'bout that..bob

[DanaM]

Sugar or hard maple is typically very striaght grained hence pretty easy to work,
I have a vine maple stave that I've been working on
that I keep tossing in the corner of shame. Then I get it out again and work some more on it.
Its my only experience with it and I don't think its a prime stave, its cantakerous to say the least. If ya have your choice go for the hard maple if ya a challenge go with the vine maple.

[Badger]

I have done only a handful of vine maples. It kind or reminds me of hickory. harder than sugar maple and seems to be more elastic and forgiving. It will tkae some big time set if the mc is not low. Steve

[Gordon]

It will tkae some big time set if the mc is not low

Be careful, vine maple will blow if the mc is too low (been there done that). It's not like hickory in that regard.

I agree with JD. Out of the maple family, vine maple is likely to be your best bet.

[duffontap]

It will tkae some big time set if the mc is not low

Be careful, vine maple will blow if the mc is too low (been there done that). It's not like hickory in that regard.

I agree with JD. Out of the maple family, vine maple is likely to be your best bet.

Gordon,
I think low mc is responsible for a lot of the failures I've had.  Just needs a short stop in the hot box. 

             J. D.

[Ryano]

Careful don't want to hurt anyones feelings...... Vine maples probally only better if you can cut it where you live.....lol.   

[Badger]

Ryan, I agree with you, I love sugar maple, especialy the stuff the grows in the northeast usa. I get very consistent good shooters out sugar maple. Steve

[Gordon]

You're right Ryan. I'm only familiar with Douglas and Broad Leaf Maple and Vine Maple is much superior. I didn't know about Sugar Maple - I learned something new today. Thanks Badger!

[Gordon]

I think low mc is responsible for a lot of the failures I've had.  Just needs a short stop in the hot box.

I've heard stories about perfectly good VM bows blowing up when moved to dry climates like Arizona. Then a couple of years ago I installed A/C in my home and left one of my favorite bows for weeks in an air-conditioned room. When I pulled it back it shattered into several pieces. Now I am careful not to let my VM bows get too dry.