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Author Topic: Mesquite for bow wood?  (Read 6314 times)

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Offline dane lund

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Mesquite for bow wood?
« on: February 21, 2015, 10:21:18 am »
OK, the AZ is not known for Osage, or any other kind of normally called out bow wood.
We have several species of mesquite.

Has anyone ever used mesquite for bow wood?  The stuff is really hard, and finishes out kind a pretty.

Any input from the experts?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2015, 12:03:35 pm »
I've never made a mesquite bow but others have. If you can find a piece long enough and straight enough it should make a good bow.
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Offline wizardgoat

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2015, 03:11:52 pm »
There is a Papago bow in the encyclopedia of bows arrows and quivers made of mesquite.
It's unbacked, less than 3' long and a bit over an inch at the grip
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Offline Badger

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2015, 03:23:16 pm »
  Several different but similar species of mesquite, most will make decent bows but are prone to chrysaling if not careflully tillered.
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Offline Tree_Ninja

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2015, 03:35:07 pm »
Not sure about mesquite as bow wood. A quick google search shows that juniper,elm, ash, sumac and oak all grow in Arizona.

  Not sure if desert mahogany grows around where you live. I hear it is a super dense wood.
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Offline dane lund

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2015, 08:55:20 pm »
I previously posted the same about AZ oak.  Right now though, I can't seem to find out how I can legally cut one down.  Most are on private, or state land.
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Offline alwayslookin

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2015, 09:19:47 pm »
Ed Scott uses it.
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Offline Joec123able

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2015, 03:31:32 am »
Quote from: alwayslookin on February 21, 2015, 09:19:47 pm
Ed Scott uses it.

Yes Ed Scott uses lots of juniper and mesquite and is the best bowyer I know of. His bows are complete masterpieces
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Offline carpholeo

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2015, 01:10:51 am »
Screwbean mesquite is great if you can find a suitable length of wood, good luck with that.
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Offline arachnid

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2015, 01:47:54 am »
Quote from: Joec123able on February 22, 2015, 03:31:32 am
Quote from: alwayslookin on February 21, 2015, 09:19:47 pm
Ed Scott uses it.

Yes Ed Scott uses lots of juniper and mesquite and is the best bowyer I know of. His bows are complete masterpieces

I've watched the full interview with Ed Scott and he doe's use it. But, he says that it's a compretion string wood and needs to sinew backed.
His bows are indeed masterpieces...
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Offline IndianGuy

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Re: Mesquite for bow wood?
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2015, 10:01:24 am »
I'm not sure about his bows being masterpieces? He sinew backs with wood glue and his horn bows with epoxy. :o
E
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