Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Night Hawk on October 04, 2013, 01:41:34 am

Title: Bow wood question.
Post by: Night Hawk on October 04, 2013, 01:41:34 am

Has anyone made a bow from Giant Chinkapin? http://owic.oregonstate.edu/giant-chinkapin-castanopsis-chrysophylla (http://owic.oregonstate.edu/giant-chinkapin-castanopsis-chrysophylla)  (not to be confused with the chinkapin oak from the eastern U.S.)

While driving around in the hills today I found a stand of wonderfully straight trees about 8-12" in diameter and it made me wonder if it would make a good bow.

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: Joec123able on October 04, 2013, 01:54:00 am

Well from what I'm reading, it's on the softer wood side and most probably wouldn't recommend it but if I were you I'd atleast try since I'm sure no one else has.

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: JackCrafty on October 04, 2013, 02:17:47 am

Specific gravity of .48 looks good enough for me.  If it bends easily with heat or steam it would definitely be a good friend of mine...  ;D

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: BowEd on October 04, 2013, 05:45:27 am

The way it sounds 66" long 2" wide might get ya 50# bow.

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: DLH on October 04, 2013, 09:49:09 am

Sounds really similar to chestnut with the catkins and nuts. Really interesting that it's an evergreen too.

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: burn em up chuck on October 04, 2013, 11:16:22 am

   try it and see, what a rare opportunity

                        chuck

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: Carson (CMB) on October 04, 2013, 11:36:00 am

I wondered the same thing, so I cut one this past summer.  I pealed the bark and sealed it up.  I havent started in on it, but I can say it is some pretty wood. 

Title: Re: Bow wood question.
Post by: paoliguy on October 04, 2013, 02:16:06 pm

I know very little about this but I met a fellow camping at Cloverdale last year who had a bow he said was Chinkapin. I remember it simply because I had never heard of Chinkapin before. It was long and wide as I recall and a real looker. I didn't get to see it shoot but he said he was happy with it and I figure that's all that matters since it's his bow! So if the bow I saw was truly Chinkapin then yes, you can make a bow from it. Hope you are as pleased with yours as the gentleman I met was with his!