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Offline Webradbury

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Privet questions
« on: April 07, 2015, 09:00:19 am »
I have heard both good and bad things about privet bows, so I thought I would ask for opinions here.  I will be cutting some wood for bows around a county owned property in the coming month and there are some large, straight pieces of Privet that I can cut.  It's rare in my area to find suitable bow size staves of Privet.

My question is obviously, am I wasting my time? Another question would be what is the best way to season it and what style bow would be best for this wood?

Thanks, Will
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Offline Sidmand

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 09:48:24 am »
I think it was bubby who just finished a privet bow.  It WILL make a good one, it's harder and heavier than you might think.  I know from experience that it doesn't take dry heat well at all, but I believe that bubby steamed his and it worked out real good.  Treat it like a typical whitewood (just strip the bark off, rough shape it, seal the back and end good, and let it dry) and you should be good to go.
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Offline Knoll

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 10:12:23 am »
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... alone in distant woods or fields, in unpretending sproutlands or pastures tracked by rabbits, even in a bleak and, to most, cheerless day .... .  I suppose that this value, in my case, is equivalent to what others get by churchgoing & prayer.  Hank Thoreau, 1857

Offline Webradbury

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 10:28:01 am »
Well, there you have it! I'm sharpening the chainsaw as we speak!  Thanks! Will
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Offline simson

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2015, 01:50:28 pm »
privet is super bow wood. Can be polished like bone. Make it long enough.
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Simon
Bavaria, Germany

Offline bubby

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2015, 03:40:50 pm »

privet is super bow wood. Can be polished like bone. Make it long enough.



Yeah it hs a ivory look to it and it does polish up slick
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Offline Webradbury

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2015, 07:57:36 pm »
I'm looking at a couple pieces growing from shoots under the main bush. They are straight with no knots and about as big around as a persons wrist. A little over six feet long. Should I seal the ends, lash it to a board and let it dry that way or rough it out and seal it?
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Offline bubby

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2015, 08:39:28 pm »
I would rough it out and seal the back and ends, and strap it to a board so it stays nice and straightish
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Webradbury

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Re: Privet questions
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2015, 09:14:20 pm »
Excellent! Thanks, guys! Will
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