Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: newknapper on May 16, 2009, 06:17:37 am

Title: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: newknapper on May 16, 2009, 06:17:37 am

Hey guys, I have a Red Mulberry stave I have started chasing a ring on and was needing to know the best layout for the wood. The stave is 68" and plenty wide. 

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Hillbilly on May 16, 2009, 10:18:26 am

Mulberry is pretty versatile, I've made flatbows, ELBs, and Woodland-style D-bows from it. A good general design would be a stiff-handled flatbow about 1 5/8" wide from fades to midlimb, tapering to 1/2" or 3/8" nocks.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: shamus on May 16, 2009, 10:56:05 am

There is a strong consensus that it makes a great D bow. I'm partial to agree with that. I haven't tried a D bow with mulberry, but I'd like to.

It also makes a good flatbow, from my experience. Just make it about 10-15% or so wider than an similar osage design since it is not as dense. Since it is a cousin to osage, imagine mulberry as "low" density osage.

More thoughts of mine on flatbow design: http://analogperiphery.blogspot.com/2008/05/osage-flat-bow-dimensions.html

I would use that design for a flatbow, but make it 1.75-2" at the widest point and then taper to about .5" at the nocks.


Hope it helps.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Jmilbrandt on May 16, 2009, 05:59:30 pm

I just made a bow from mulberry it was 68 1/2 ntn, 1" 1/2 at the fades tapering to 5/16 at the nocks it pulled 45# at 28" and held just a hair of reflex when unstrung. I hope that helps some.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: newknapper on May 17, 2009, 11:06:16 am

Thanks guys for all the replies. I am gonna give it a try and see what I can come up with. Do yall thing 1 7/8" @ fades is too wide down to a 1/2" nock.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Pat B on May 17, 2009, 11:13:39 am

At 68" you could go narrower like to 1 5/8" like Hillbilly said.  Leave the tips on the wider side until tillering is done then reduce the width to 3/8" or so. 

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Little John on May 17, 2009, 11:27:06 am

I like the wider limbs, like 1 7/8'' to mid limb then to to narrow thick limbtips with no bend. The inner mass does not hurt cast but light narrow tips  do help.   Kenneth

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: newknapper on May 17, 2009, 04:05:46 pm

There is alot to think about here, as this is a really nice stave that I got from a good friend and I shore dont want to mess it up. Thanks for all your input guys. ;D

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Pat B on May 17, 2009, 06:26:29 pm

You can always take wood off! Getting it back on is much more difficult. ;)

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Aosda on May 18, 2009, 03:17:16 am

Good timing with this post.  I just started chasing a ring on my Mulberry stave.  Good luck with yours Newknapper.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: newknapper on May 18, 2009, 07:52:46 am

Quote from: Aosda on May 18, 2009, 03:17:16 am

Good timing with this post.  I just started chasing a ring on my Mulberry stave.  Good luck with yours Newknapper.

Thanks! Good luck to you also. Post some pics soon so I can see yours.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Hillbilly on May 18, 2009, 08:43:02 am

I'm finishing a mulberry bow up at the moment, too. I'll probably have pics later this week. I really like mulberry, one of my favorite woods.

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: newknapper on May 18, 2009, 06:25:09 pm

Cool cant wait!!!!!

Title: Re: Mulberry Layout????
Post by: Don on May 18, 2009, 09:18:24 pm

Glad to see this post.
I've got 4 stave still drying just waiting to become a bow.
And they're NOT staight. ::)

Don