Author Topic: Juniper heartwood?  (Read 2065 times)

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Offline Chuck.e.b

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Juniper heartwood?
« on: October 25, 2019, 11:38:07 am »
Is it better to have heartwood run the length of the entire bow and chase a ring from the back? Or...just use it for the handle and tips? Theory being because juniper heartwood is more brittle than other woods, the sapwood should be used for the main flexing part of limb. The bow will be backed with sinew and is mountain juniper.

bownarra

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Re: Juniper heartwood?
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2019, 01:48:12 am »
Heartwood is even better in compression than the sapwood is. If I had a choice I would pick a full heartwood stave everytime.

Offline maitus

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Re: Juniper heartwood?
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2019, 02:26:08 am »
+1. And its not very important to chase the ring perfectly if You will do sinew backing.

Offline WhistlingBadger

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Re: Juniper heartwood?
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2019, 07:52:15 am »
I've never built a bow (yet) but there is nothing as pretty as juniper heartwood.  My only complaint would be I'd never pick a spot again--I'd be too busy admiring the belly of my bow!
T
Thomas
Lander, Wyoming
"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
~Louis L'Amour