Striped maple????

[Jakesnyder]

Anyone have any experience with it? I've heard that the bark can is so tough it can actually become a backing for it? Thanks

[Eric Krewson]

Do you mean curly maple or is there species that is called striped maple?

I have worked with a lot of curly maple making flintlock stocks, definitely not selfbow material, hard at the curls and soft in-between them. It makes pretty lams for glass bows though.

[Yooper Bowyer]

You mean as in moosewood, with the green striped bark and giant leaves? 

We have a lot of it here.  It is one of those fast grow fast die types.  I've played with a stick of it once, the stuff is pretty soft, softer than red maple in most cases I think.  not worth your time if you have any harder woods.

[Pat B]

I think striped maple is too soft but I've never used it.
Eric, striped maple is Acer pensylvanicum, curly maple is usually figured hard maple where the grain doesn't grow straight.

[Eric Krewson]

Red maple often has the most striking figure but is softer than sugar maple which is harder and more desirable for decorative carving.