Laburnum question

[DC]

I have a couple of iffy Laburnum billets. I'm not sure how iffy. One of them had greyish funny looking sapwood so I removed the sapwood. The other looks good but  I will remove the sapwood from it, I guess. Will Laburnum heartwood by itself make a bow? How rot resistant is Laburnum heartwood? Maybe sinew back? They are not straight enough for bamboo backing.

[simson]

Laburnum is good bow wood. you can use the heartwood only: http://primitive-bows.com/golden-chain-tree-take-down-5328-no-21/
Use the sap wood only if not greyish (mostly the beginning of  fungus attack). Intact sap wood makes a great looking contrast to the choco colored heartwood. Good luck!

edit
here are some sap /heartwood problems: http://primitive-bows.com/buildalong-of-a-hld-bow-no-33/

[bownarra]

Premium bow wood. The heartwood is excellent. It is superb sinew backed. Narrow and thick gives the best performance like yew.

[DC]

I'm kind of working this as a side project so it's taking a long time. I've read in a few spots how hard this wood is but mine seems to cut like butter with a draw knife. At least compared to other woods. It makes a nice satisfying crunchy noise. Is this normal? I'm still a little unsure of the quality of this particular piece. Not sure if the pictures will tell you anything.

[bownarra]

That looks perfect. Yes be careful with the drawknife it can lift out any grain dips. I wouldn't say it is particularly hard.