Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 29, 2012, 05:38:59 am

Title: Black Walnut
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 29, 2012, 05:38:59 am

Hey guys... today was a rainy day here in NH and I was at a buddies house stalking turkeys. While doing so I came a cross some black walnut trees. Are these any good for bow making? I am not good at figuring out whats good or not for bows

Title: Re: Black Walnut
Post by: soy on September 29, 2012, 07:14:58 am

I love black walnut for Bowmakeing! but it's not for everybody ??? It is a beautiful wood But it's more prone for set.... shake the dice and see if it's for you.... make sure to include pics ;)

Title: Re: Black Walnut
Post by: Pat B on September 29, 2012, 10:16:10 am

BW will make a good bow. You want to use the sapwood under the bark for the back of the bow. Usually this will give you a little heartwood in the handle.

Title: Re: Black Walnut
Post by: tanner on October 01, 2012, 12:29:07 pm

I personally enjoyed my first black walnut bowmaking experience (also my very first try bowmaking). It's really easy to work with, is beautiful and smells great (imo). The down-side if you're a no0b like myself is that it's not all that forgiving. I got a transverse crack from a tillering mistake that quickly demoted it to my first pretty wall-hanger rather than my first shooter. :)  For me, however, it's a very common wood where I live so I'll be trying it again soon after I finish up the mulberry I'm working on now.

Title: Re: Black Walnut
Post by: wildcat hunter on October 01, 2012, 10:25:15 pm

  I think black walnut is the most beautiful wood there is. I glued up some pieces last year and backed it with osage! Gold on black - its beautiful! BUT - can't shoot it!! Its got a crease on both limbs at the fades - its a wall hanger now. :(

Title: Re: Black Walnut
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 01, 2012, 11:57:21 pm

You guys are giving me heartaches with you black walnut stories. I've felled a tree a few months ago that ended up giving me a dozen good staves. I've been too busy too finish the first one I started but did some work on it this weekend. It's 62 3/4" total length, 2" at the fades for 12" and then tapered to the points which will be 1/2".

The limbs are currently less than a 1/2" thick and these things still won't move. I know I have to have patience and they keep telling me leave them wide but somethings gotta give here pretty quick or I'm going to start slowly thinning them.