Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jturkey on March 09, 2011, 11:28:19 am
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what are ya'lls opinion on sycamore as a bow would befoe i cut a tree down would like to get some people that have tried it or know if it would be a good bow wood. we have thousands of them out back just an idea.
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I think it's closely related to and similar to Ash.
Del
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Just to avoid confusion - you are from the USA, right? So I assume you are talking about a species of Platanus? In the UK and Ireland, sycamore is the common name for Acer pseudoplatanus which is a species of maple.
I know Acer pseudoplatanus makes reasonable bows, but I'm not sure about Platanus...
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I'd say if you had a stave, try it but I wouldn't cut a tree just to give it a try. I have heard of bows made from sycamore but nothing special. Darksoul, this sycamore(P. occidentalis) like your London Planetree(P. x acerifolia).
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thanks pat and i am from america did not realize they were different over there in the uk but it is good to know. and pat i have to cut a few about 6in in diameter anyways so i guess i will make a few stave and see what happens they are in the middle of a shooting lane we are setting up for next year i'll let you guys know what i find out.
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If it were me Id sell it for fire wood,use that $ to buy a good stave. But thats me. >:D
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Ok.. I've never made a bow from Sycamore (acer psudoplatanus), but I have made atlatl's and sculptures from this tree, and it's nice wood
Remember that it's a member of the Maple family of trees ( Acer)
Its very common in the UK although not native to our shores
I plan on making a bow from a stave I have very soon, I'm just going to keep it long and wide.
I imagine a pristine quarter sawn length board would make a fine core for a laminate ?
Good luck
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jturkey heres two i made wood is dense and strong . no backings on these
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Ken, Fine looking weopons. As I suspected, the sycamore will make a good bow... Thanks for the inspiration!
Keith
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hey ken was that which type of sycamore was that i have heard that ours will flake or let teh growth rings come apart upon being compressed. but i love thos bows specialty the molly that is wht i want to try for new one for me. but as i said just not sure of the wood but am willing to try it anyways.
and Aiggie i use my firewood i don't sell it lol
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It's not even a good fire wood to much moisture. I never maded a bow out of any and have always have been told it was'nt a good bow wood. Lots of mositure I'd think if you took the moisture away it would be brittle. Did once see one sinewed at a bow shoot. The guy said it had a lilltle string follow. Had fliped tips it looked good strung up.
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Nice bows Ken! Did you ever post those?
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Nate i think so ive posted round 50 of the 75 ive built
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I know you've posted a bunch, just didn't remember those.
I just found the thread! ;D Nice bows
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wish i had read this sooner i just burned about 500bdft of 5/4 syc :o
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Auggie....play nice... >:D......I have made many...many joes from Sycamore....I believe that it makes a great bow....just don't expect 70 pounders from it....I have made paddle bows...recurves.....deflex/reflex ...I believe it is a very resilient wood with a lot of missed potential....jmo
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el destructo which type of sycamore have you used the acer or planntius. and was looking for about 30 lb molly bow. for fun shooting rabbits
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I'm not understanding the last post. There are not two types of sycamore Sycamore is ,acer psudoplatanus Its a species of tree of the family acer ie Maple, and the type is psudoplatanus simple as that, and the scientific names were created to get rid of any confusion, no matter which language or country you came from.
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Jturkey....any American Sycamore is Bow Wood....all member of the Maple Family...and will make a fine medium weight bow...if tillered properly.