Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JoJoDapyro on August 01, 2014, 04:11:33 pm

Title: Pear staves
Post by: JoJoDapyro on August 01, 2014, 04:11:33 pm

I got a 6 inch pear tree from the open space crew a few weeks back. I peeled it, and let it sit. The night before last I split it, and last night split it again. This morning after running errands I decided to split it again as I was going to build some small low weight bows for my 2 nephews. I split it again and find this. Right in the middle of the stave. So much for pear bows!

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: Pat B on August 01, 2014, 04:22:27 pm

You can put that in the handle and probably get away with it.

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: JoJoDapyro on August 01, 2014, 05:21:04 pm

Somehow I managed to split right through it. I will give it a go if you think it can be done. Do you think just a thicker handle?

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: Pat B on August 01, 2014, 05:37:23 pm

Without actually seeing it in person it is hard to tell. Get the stave to floor tiller stage and see if you can break it at the knot over your knee. If not, go for it. If it does break, make a take down.  ;)

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on August 02, 2014, 08:50:53 am

Cut it out and do handle splices  ???and tip laminations ? ? ?

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: Del the cat on August 02, 2014, 09:39:32 am

Is Pear any good? I'd have thought it was maybe too brittle, It certainly doesn't like shock loads.
I whittled an arm for a model siege engine from Pear, it sheared clean off first shot  >:( Made an Elm replacement and that was fine.
I realise the loading on a bow is different, but the sudden stop as it gets back to brace would worry me.
Del

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: JoJoDapyro on August 02, 2014, 11:03:59 am

I thought I read here that Pear was good bow wood. As most of you know the search function isn't the greatest.

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: dwardo on August 02, 2014, 11:36:54 am

I was kindly given what looked like a perfectly clean pear stave. Further into it I found rot all over the shop.
Even roughed out it was incredibly light and I dont think it would do much besides very light bows.
But every tree is an individual. Makes lovely coloured eating implements, kuksa etc.

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: Pat B on August 02, 2014, 11:47:10 am

Pear should be pretty good bow wood.

Title: Re: Pear staves
Post by: JoJoDapyro on August 02, 2014, 05:13:30 pm

If this works they will be for a 7 and 5 year old. Just enough is needed to get the love in them, after they out grow them they can build a future shooter of their own. They are both very small for their age, and their parents are both pretty small humans (Dad is about 5'6 and mom is about 5'2).