Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on December 02, 2014, 03:41:36 pm

Title: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: DC on December 02, 2014, 03:41:36 pm
Gathered some OS this morning. The short fat one is 58" long and 2 3/4" diameter in the middle. I may get two bows out of it. There are three with large knots but I think one will disappear when I rough it out and another will have the knot in the belly side of the handle. The longest one has a big lumpy knot in the middle. I have to think about that one.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: Gsulfridge on December 02, 2014, 04:11:27 pm
Nice haul.  Never tried that wood before, but have seen pics of some pretty bows.  One can never have too much bow wood! ;)
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: Accipiter on December 02, 2014, 06:13:34 pm
Quick, split it before it checks! But seriously, those are some fine pieces of ocean spray, ought to make some fine bows.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: osage outlaw on December 02, 2014, 07:40:44 pm
Nice haul.  Ocean Spray is on my list of bow woods that I want to try.  I tried to talk bowtarist out of a small piece of it but he wasn't cooperating.   :)
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: DC on December 02, 2014, 08:05:22 pm
I'd send you a piece but that short, fat one in the picture weighs 13 1/2 pounds. I don't think I could afford the freight.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: osage outlaw on December 02, 2014, 08:18:34 pm
I know that stuff is dense.  Bowtarist's sapling felt like a piece of rebar.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: blackhawk on December 02, 2014, 08:27:49 pm
Ill take the 2nd and 4th from the left,and you can burn the rest  :laugh:
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: bow101 on December 02, 2014, 08:42:47 pm
Ill take the 2nd and 4th from the left,and you can burn the rest  :laugh:
Do you want those 2 because they are naturally reflexed..? Why not the straight ones..?

A short write up on OS

Historical/Cultural uses: The alternative names for Oceanspray, Arrow–Wood and Ironwood,  give us a hint of its former uses. The wood was exceptionally hard and strong and was invaluable to First Nations people. They used it to fashion arrows, harpoons, digging tools, sharp pins to anchor teepees and even awls for sewing and beadwork. Because the wood does not burn readily, it was also used to make cooking tools and spits for roasting salmon.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: wizardgoat on December 02, 2014, 09:19:40 pm
nice haul there! its tough finding stuff that size.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: DC on December 02, 2014, 09:41:26 pm


A short write up on OS

Historical/Cultural uses: The alternative names for Oceanspray, Arrow–Wood and Ironwood,  give us a hint of its former uses. The wood was exceptionally hard and strong and was invaluable to First Nations people. They used it to fashion arrows, harpoons, digging tools, sharp pins to anchor teepees and even awls for sewing and beadwork. Because the wood does not burn readily, it was also used to make cooking tools and spits for roasting salmon.

It also makes the best toothpicks, which is how I got into this.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 03, 2014, 09:10:53 am
My new love......aaaahhhhhhh.....
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: Tree_Ninja on December 03, 2014, 09:50:01 am
Nice Haul,

   I guess we'll see in a year what you get out of it.  Perfect weather to be harvesting it too!

     There's so much oceanspray around here, I can afford to be picky with my sticks. (I've got "standing inventory" I just need to cut it)

   Have you tried reverse tillering the deflex on any to make it reflex? I'm not brave enough to try it.

   I never have any luck splitting them while green (especially when you can see the juice flowing out after you cut them).  I always seal the ends , and wait for 2-3 months before I attempt to split them. 

   Do you have a bandsaw?  Splitting with an axe is tough to make two even staves.  I wouldn't worry too much about the big knot, just leave it thicker at first (some of the knots are tougher than the rest of the stave, some are weak).  Only issue is the checks and splits  usually start at the knots....

     I always start with the ugliest stick and work my way up to the nice ones.
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: IdahoMatt on December 03, 2014, 10:06:21 am
Looks like a great haul.  Can't wait to see what you come up with
Title: Re: Ocean Spray Haul
Post by: DC on December 03, 2014, 12:59:06 pm


   Have you tried reverse tillering the deflex on any to make it reflex? I'm not brave enough to try it.

 

Do you mean make the outside of the tree the belly?