« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Privet questions  (Read 3565 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Webradbury

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
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
Logged

Offline Sidmand

  • Member
  • Posts: 302
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.
Logged
"Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing." --> Aristotle

Offline Knoll

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,016
  • Mikey
Re: Privet questions
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 10:12:23 am »
Logged
... 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

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
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
Logged

Offline simson

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,310
  • stonehill-primitive-bows
    • stonehill-primitive-bows
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.
Logged
Simon
Bavaria, Germany

Offline bubby

  • Member
  • Posts: 11,054
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
Logged
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Webradbury

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
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?
Logged

Offline bubby

  • Member
  • Posts: 11,054
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
Logged
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline Webradbury

  • Member
  • Posts: 41
Re: Privet questions
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2015, 09:14:20 pm »
Excellent! Thanks, guys! Will
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »