Birch Bow Dimensions

[Kev K.]

  I have many birch trees in my area and plan to cut some for bows.  I was wondering if anyone had and ideas on what the dimensions should be for a good bow? Also, should you back birch?Anything helps, I'm still somewhat new to this.

[Pat B]

Depending on your draw length I would say for 28" draw go 66" to 68", 2" wide at the fades and out most of the limb and taper the last 6" to 8" to 1/2" tips. You want a 4" handle either in the middle(symmetrical) or from the center line go up 1 1/4" and down 2 3/4" for your 4" handle. This will give you a shorter bottom limb which some prefer.  Outside the handle go 1 1/2" to 2" where the handle fades into the limbs. From there it's 2" wide out the limb. Keep the belly flat and take it easy while tillering not to over stress the limbs.  Have fun!   Pat

[Kev K.]

Thanks pat.

[Marc St Louis]

What species of Birch do you have?

[Kev K.]

I think it's white birch or paper birch.

[Pat B]

Paul Comstock specifically mentioned paper birch as a bow wood in his book. One of his test bows was paper birch.   Pat

[duffontap]

I was looking at some paper birch yesterday while wood cutting.  I've really wanted to find a good stave to try.  Let us know how it works. 

Pat's right, Paul says that's a great bow.

          J. D. Duff

[Marc St Louis]

I've never made a bow out of White Birch but I have made a few out of yellow Birch

[Kev K.]

Thanks, I'll get started ASAP!

[bassman]

I have made a couple bows from white birch.Wide,long,and belly heat treated are decent bows  at 40lbs. draw weight.Lower end bow wood in my opinion.Yellow birch is supposed to be more suitable as bow wood.