Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bentstick81 on February 14, 2010, 10:24:57 pm

Title: Hop Hornbeam?
Post by: Bentstick81 on February 14, 2010, 10:24:57 pm
  I was wanting to make a bow out of Hop Hornbeam. ;D Does anyone have a picture of what the tree looks like? I live in Illinois, and heard that we have them here, just not exactly sure what they look like. :-[ Also, do you have to chase a growth ring, like osage, with H-Hornbeam? Any input is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Hop Hornbeam?
Post by: PatM on February 14, 2010, 10:37:12 pm
Google images is your friend. Treat it like Hickory. Bark off and outer growth ring for the back.
Title: Re: Hop Hornbeam?
Post by: Pat B on February 14, 2010, 11:57:32 pm
Cut during the growing season to be able to peel the bark off.
Title: Re: Hop Hornbeam?
Post by: sailordad on February 15, 2010, 12:00:33 am
yup do like Pat B said
that is some serious tuff stuff to get rif of on winter cut wood
trust me,i have over 10 hrs into getting the bark/cambium layer off on one stave
Title: Re: Hop Hornbeam?
Post by: PatM on February 15, 2010, 12:53:31 am
If you cut it in the winter and remove the scale bark and most of the inner bark with a drawkinfe you can use a spoon tip to plow off the rest of it and 'bone" the back at the same time.
 You can do it in about an hour then.
 It helps to rough it to a stave first to minimize the total amount of  bark. That will also reduce the chance of checking which HHB is susceptible to if it is left in large dimensions and debarked.