Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on September 10, 2014, 12:00:19 pm

Title: Splitting from the middle
Post by: DC on September 10, 2014, 12:00:19 pm

i got three Douglas Maple staves yesterday from the same tree. The middle one is just about 3" where the handle would be. If I cut a kerf through the middle in the handle area and split from the center out both ways would it put extra strain on the wood at that point? I could get two staves that way and splitting from the end might run out and leave me with just one.
Thanks
Don

Title: Re: Splitting from the middle
Post by: Blaflair2 on September 10, 2014, 12:03:51 pm

Your limbs are gonna have to be pretty wide at the fades. So I wouldn't. I don't think Douglas fir makes a good bow. Maybe I'm wrong.

Title: Re: Splitting from the middle
Post by: DC on September 10, 2014, 12:11:23 pm

Douglas MAPLE. Same guy, different tree. ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Splitting from the middle
Post by: Blaflair2 on September 10, 2014, 12:12:42 pm

Haha. My bad. I read wrong. Still the limbs at the fade will probly be around 1 3/4-2" so I'd leave it

Title: Re: Splitting from the middle
Post by: IdahoMatt on September 10, 2014, 12:34:42 pm

That maple doesn't want to split good from my experience.  I would saw it in half if you have the means to do so.   :)

Title: Re: Splitting from the middle
Post by: DC on September 10, 2014, 01:15:25 pm

Mine is spitting real nice. ;D   Now if I'd cut it in the spring so the bark would come off >:(