Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowkee on June 11, 2010, 10:46:29 pm

Title: Native Bow from Red Alder
Post by: bowkee on June 11, 2010, 10:46:29 pm

I read somewhere that the Natives used Alder For Bows so I thought I would Try it. I have a couple staves that are short so guess is keep them what 2" widest and sinew back them? Phillip

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: AncientArcher76 on June 11, 2010, 11:29:42 pm

Alder I never used if Im no mistaken is that is a flowering shrub related to the birch family.  It rarely gets to extensive sizes or heights.  Im a firm believer that a lot of paleo groups used various species including shrubs and bushes.  I think that plants like that have intermingled grain making for great compression but who knows I have made bows from huckleberry bush, Mt. Laurel, and sumac.  Would u know they work.  Take care.

Russ

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: sailordad on June 12, 2010, 12:16:15 am

phillip i think,if my memory serves me right yet, Dana made a bow from alder
but i dont believed it lived a long life

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: loefflerchuck on June 12, 2010, 04:20:28 am

 Alder is not a top choice. It's about like using aspen for a bow. Youkut's used it for arrows but never heard of a bow from it

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: dwardo on June 12, 2010, 07:38:36 am

I recently cut what i thought was an cog wood but it turned out to be grey alder. Very light and spongy i didnt even bother turning it into a bow :(

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: bowkee on June 12, 2010, 07:48:17 pm

I see, This is red Alder and it is quite abundant around here. Glad I have some juniper to work with.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://gallery.sunnyfortuna.com/albums/userpics/10001/red_alder.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gallery.sunnyfortuna.com/displayimage.php%3Falbum%3D9%26pos%3D93&usg=__MMMBjGOINiQRr9UNK6FPvM369gE=&h=479&w=732&sz=135&hl=en&start=7&itbs=1&tbnid=XlHh5IfOs46K9M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=141&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalifornia%2Bred%2Balder%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://gallery.sunnyfortuna.com/albums/userpics/10001/red_alder.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gallery.sunnyfortuna.com/displayimage.php%3Falbum%3D9%26pos%3D93&usg=__MMMBjGOINiQRr9UNK6FPvM369gE=&h=479&w=732&sz=135&hl=en&start=7&itbs=1&tbnid=XlHh5IfOs46K9M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=141&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalifornia%2Bred%2Balder%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1)

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: El Destructo on June 12, 2010, 08:37:34 pm

Dana built his Bow from Tag Alder...a Swamp Alder that grows all over the U.P.....And He beat the Crap out of that Bow...and if memory serves Me... it developed some problems...sorry...that was Sumac...His Alder Bow died before it got to Live..... :P

Title: Re: Native Bow from Ader
Post by: bowkee on June 14, 2010, 07:44:44 pm

Almost got it tillered :)  It is soft but not as soft as the Maple I used for The splice Bow back a few. This will be about 48" 2" at the wide hoping for 30-40 @ 20-22

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Title: Re: Native Bow from Red Alder
Post by: profsaffel on June 14, 2010, 09:24:10 pm

As nice as your bow is looking, admittedly its the shaving horse that I keep staring at  :P

Title: Re: Native Bow from Red Alder
Post by: bowkee on June 14, 2010, 10:21:06 pm

The Shaving  horse is great, the Alder  ::) forget the alder, got 10@40 and creekcrack haha. Glad  I got the Juniper.

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