Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: white wood on April 09, 2007, 09:15:20 pm

Title: designs for persimmon
Post by: white wood on April 09, 2007, 09:15:20 pm

hey guys i got a couple of seasoned persimmon staves and was wondering what would be a good design for this type of wood? ive never used it before so any ideas or designes that have worked for you would be great along with any pics you may have. i was thinking id like to make a 68" or 70" long bow but dont know how this wood does with a round belly. i guess i could make the same style only make it with a flat belly? any help would be appreciated! thanks, -jesse

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: mullet on April 09, 2007, 10:00:50 pm

   Jesse,I've used the wild persimmon here but not the Japanese persimmon. I treated it just like any white wood bow.It acted like hickory to me but easier to work.It has a nice light gray color.

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: Pat B on April 10, 2007, 12:31:26 am

I would say to treat it like whitewood, also. I've never worked persommon because every tree I've cut grew in a spiral. Makes good golf clubs!    Pat

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: duffontap on April 10, 2007, 02:07:08 am

Update us with info when you tiller out your first persimmon bow white wood.

      J. D. Duff

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: MattE on April 10, 2007, 08:47:45 am

Persimmon wood is extremely hard.If you make a d-section bow It might be wise to use a shallow d-section to avoid freting.It should make a good bow.I would think it would be similar to osage in character.

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: Minuteman on April 10, 2007, 09:18:40 am

A buddy of mine cut some that was straight when he split it but 3 months later it was so twisted he couldn't do anything with it. It likes to move as it dries so don't split it out too small before you dry it . From what I've heard I'd split it in half then dry it some before I split it any more. Ifd its less than 6 inches across I'd seal the ends and let it sit for awhile before I split it at all.

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: Pappy on April 10, 2007, 09:32:34 am

I have made bows from it,I split it in half and let it season for a few months and then thin it down and clamped it to the jig/table and let it dry for another few weeks.I lay them out like Hickory
about 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 at the fades out to about mid limb the taper to 3/8 at the tips.They worked out fine,no frets and are a beautiful purple in color when finished with tru Oil.They dry out slow
so keep the moisture down and keep in a warm dry place when you aren't working on it. :)
     Pappy

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: white wood on April 10, 2007, 12:34:50 pm

thanks for the advise guys!  the wood i have has been seasoned for five years and is 72" long straight and no twist at all to them! i think ill make one flat bow and one semi-round bellied longbow. justin i will post pics as i go along. also these are very heavy peices. ill get started on one this weekend! thanks again guys, -jesse

Title: Re: designs for persimmon
Post by: PepeLep on April 10, 2007, 03:40:24 pm

I'm looking forward to the pictures. Let us know how each design works out. I have access to quite a bit of persimmon, so I might have to try it.