Which of these two is better bow wood?

[Velociraptor]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to make or buy longbow,and i can chose between maple and wild plum.
I would like to know,which one is  better for making bow that will be used for practice and maybe hunting.
I need wood that won't break and will last as long as possible.
Every comment is welcome

[Badger]

     I think plum has to be about the most indestructable bow wood out there. For dependability I would go with plum if you can find a piece big enough. Plum is the only wood I would take over osage if I could find decent staves.

[sleek]

Powerful words Badger, I may have to keep an eye out for some plum now....

[Springbuck]

     I think plum has to be about the most indestructable bow wood out there. For dependability I would go with plum if you can find a piece big enough. Plum is the only wood I would take over osage if I could find decent staves.

I love plum, but this level of praise surprises me , Steve!  I have cut a dozen 4" wild plum trunks over the years, really excited about them, in the past.  They spiralled so badly (over 90 degrees) I think I only got one bow from the lot.  Drawknifing or spokeshaving is impossible because you're against the grain wherever you go.   They warp into the craziest shapes as they dry, and have the checking problem they are famous for.   Smaller diameter plum branches seem to do ok, but I often simply ignore the spiral and hope the high crown saves them from lifting at the edges, and make lightweight bows.

I have the same issues with apple, serviceberry, and hawthorn.  Those each have wonderful wood properties, but are just a pain to work.  So, have you got any secrets to working it?

[Springbuck]

Velociraptor, my answer to the original question is this.  When you have two proven bowwoods, and know enough to design the bow for the woods.  And if your requirements are durability and shootability:  Chose the better stave.

Make sure the maple species is a suitable bowmaking wood.  Silver maple, box elder, and I think I remember another specie are very soft, not too tough, light weight, and fairly brittle, almost like cottonwood.

[Velociraptor]

Thanks for answers guys

Springbuck,i don't know many about woods,i found two bows for low price on internet,and they are from those two wood-wild plum and maple.
Im not sure am i allowed to post pictures of those two bows on Primitive Archer forum (i looked on rules but couldn't find it),if i can please tell me so you can see how they look.

[Badger]

  Springbuck, I have had terrible luck seasoning plum. Twisting warping splitting etc. I have roughed out quite a few wet staves and done ok with them but still the thicker handle section split wide open. It didn't affect the performance in anyway. Plum has a lot of problems for sure but once it is cured I love it.

[Velociraptor]

Here are photos of wild plum bow  i talked about.
Is it possible to tell me by photos is it low or high quality?

[Springbuck]

  Any plum is good bow wood, if you can get the right piece.  That was my point,as well as wild cherries like chokecherry, etc...  Chokecherry will take a lot for how light it is physically, but isn't quite as good as plum.

I had assumed you were making a bow, not buying one.

The bow looks quite nicely made from where I sit.  The tiller looks plenty good, and the workmanship is on parr.

[Velociraptor]

  Any plum is good bow wood, if you can get the right piece.  That was my point,as well as wild cherries like chokecherry, etc...  Chokecherry will take a lot for how light it is physically, but isn't quite as good as plum.

I had assumed you were making a bow, not buying one.

The bow looks quite nicely made from where I sit.  The tiller looks plenty good, and the workmanship is on parr.

Thanks for help
Yes,i'm planning to buy bow,because i can't make them in apartment right now(maybe in few months).

[bubby]

You shoul check out sam harpers site for apt dwellers

[Velociraptor]

Hey guys,one more question.
How long would these two bows last without breaking?
Since im getting it for only 40$,could they last for a few years?

[PatM]

A good bow should last for decades if not a lifetime.

[Velociraptor]

A good bow should last for decades if not a lifetime.

Does that rule work for primitive homemade bows,or only manufactured like Bear?
And what do you think by the pictures,will these two bows i talked about last at least for 3-4 years?

[PatM]

It goes for any well made bow.
 Not enough info in a pic to determine lifespan.