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Author Topic: locust sapling bow  (Read 6804 times)

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Offline DirtyDan

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locust sapling bow
« on: August 24, 2008, 12:43:24 pm »
Pat suggested that I put this bow on this site.  I had it on TradGang and it seemed to create some interest.  I cut this sapling over by the railroad tracks and I am not sure whether it is a black or honey locust, but I know from the leaves that it was a locust.  I took off the bark and sealed the whole thing with spray shellac and put it in my drying box for a week.  I then split it down the middle and left the rounded outer half as the back.  I cut off one end, split it, and glued it on as a handle.  I have been amazed at how will this arrangement has worked.  I think the sapwood makes a good backing for the heartwood.  Even though there are several knots, the bow is very solid.  64" long, 54# @ 26". 
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Offline Ryano

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2008, 12:45:01 pm »
Thats a fine looking bow.  :)
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Offline cowboy

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2008, 12:48:05 pm »
That is a good looking bow Dan. Is thier any heartwood? I can't really see anything but white in the pic's - interesting..
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Offline DanaM

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2008, 01:01:57 pm »
Looks great dan :)
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Offline OldBow

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2008, 01:18:25 pm »
Glad you took Pat's advice. This is a fine primitive bow and well done. Bookmarked for Aug Self BOM, too :)
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Offline Gordon

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2008, 02:54:28 pm »
That's a beauty and the handlework is very elegant.
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Gordon

Offline Pat B

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2008, 02:58:04 pm »
 I told ya'll so! ::)  This is a very cool bow and especially because it is made from a "you can't make a bow from that" wood and to top it all, is just a few weeks at most!  8)  Very cool, Dan!  Thanks for posting this beauty here on PA.        Pat.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline mullet

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2008, 04:09:03 pm »
  That's a heck of a nice loking bow Dan, And I have to agree with Gordon, beautiful job on the handle.
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Offline Keenan

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2008, 04:28:47 pm »
 Very nice Dan. Good for you for pushing through the norm and attempting something new. The handle wrap is especially nice. Congratulations on a fine bow.   Keenan
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Offline Hillbilly

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2008, 04:31:18 pm »
Great looking bow, Dan. I've wondered if locust sapwood wouldn't even out the tension/compression thing that causes locust to chrysal sometimes. I've got a stave that still has sapwood that I've been thinking about making a sapwood-backed Cherokee bow from. I've read that a lot of the locust native bows still had sapwood on the back. Again, mighty fine looking weapon. 8)
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2008, 04:40:01 pm »

nice bow!!
frank
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Offline acker

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2008, 06:05:38 pm »
Great bow you have build there. :o

I have read in a german archery forum about Black locust sapling bows,
well when i think, they weren`t all totally out of sapwood -only the back and the results were from good to bad when I remember that the right way.
I gonna get a nice  Black locust tree in a couple of weeks -my first one.Then I will see whats the story like with that kind of wood my self
Gruß Acker
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Offline Ryano

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2008, 11:08:45 pm »
I'm guessing the rounded back and flat belly probally helps too....
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Its November, I'm gone hunt'in.......
Osage is still better.....

Offline Woodland Roamer

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2008, 11:39:41 pm »
Great bow Dan! Thanks for posting it here. Think I'll try locust with sapwood soon myself.

Alan
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Alan Shook-Taylorsville NC

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Offline DirtyDan

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Re: locust sapling bow
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2008, 12:44:58 am »
Thanks, guys.  Cowboy, there is 1/8 to 1/4 inch of heartwood, thicker, of course, on one limb than on the other, but I think most of it is sapwood.  But it is surprisingly strong, takes hardly any set, and retains its strength after many shots.
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