Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: cowboy on February 23, 2008, 11:15:50 pm

Title: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: cowboy on February 23, 2008, 11:15:50 pm
Just out messin around. Me and dad took a drive out behind the lake where we used to catch crappie all the time. I'ts all silted in now. Went for a little hike and started noticing all the Mulberry growing around. Lot's of water and shade with tall cottonwoods around - they all were generally straight trying to get some sun.
 Cut three with my handy dandy bow saw I keep in the toolbox for just such occasions :). One's a little crooked but think I can fix that when the time comes. Amazed at how easy they split, you could just about get a wedge working on one end and split them the rest of the way with your hands - almost. Looks like some good wood to work, can't wait till they dry.
 Just thought I'd share...

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: John K on February 23, 2008, 11:45:41 pm
Sure rub it in  :P

Nice haul  ;D
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 24, 2008, 12:41:54 am
Now thats a guy with priorities.  ;D Good job.  Justin
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: nugget on February 24, 2008, 12:45:21 am
Wow ! Very prosperous hiking trip
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: carpenter374 on February 24, 2008, 02:52:34 am
Although i havent tried it ive heard mullberry makes a good english longbow
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Pat B on February 24, 2008, 03:09:30 am
You done good, Paul. Mulberry is as good as almost any bow wood. Make your bow about 10% bigger(longer and wider) than an osage bow. I have made mulberry bows using some sap wood and some heart wood with good success. A mulberry bow will be a bit thicker than an osage bow and with the white wood left on, it will be even thicker...and may take a bit more set...but it makes very good bows.    Pat
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: DanaM on February 24, 2008, 08:31:56 am
Dang Paul how much wood does one guy need ::)
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Hillbilly on February 24, 2008, 12:06:02 pm
Nice haul, Paul. I like mulberry.
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: cowboy on February 24, 2008, 12:24:56 pm
It never ends DanaM ;D - gotta have priorities like Justin says, gathering raw materials before all else ::).
 Been thinking about getting an ELB started carpenter, just for the experience I guess. Might save one of those long staves for that.
 Glad you shared those tips Pat, I was thinking in the back of my mind - longer, wider but that's about it. I've already roughed one out at 66" long and two and a quarter wide, may be a little short..
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Sidewinder on February 24, 2008, 12:37:42 pm
Paul, Those like like beauties. You should be able to make some real good shooters out of em.  Danny
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Pat B on February 24, 2008, 01:56:59 pm
Paul, 66" is OK and you can go a bit under 2" and still be OK. Being that mulberry weighs physically less than osage you can match their performance with a slightly bigger mulberry bow.   Pat
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: mullet on February 24, 2008, 02:35:04 pm
  Paul, it depends on what kind of Mulberry you cut. If it's Red Mulberry I treat it just like Osage. Same dimensions and I havn't had a problem with excessive set. Just cure them good.
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: artcher1 on February 24, 2008, 03:28:55 pm
Nice haul there Cowboy! One of my favorite bow woods also. Diameter of the logs looks perfect for mulberry also. -ART B
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: david w. on February 24, 2008, 03:45:42 pm
vrey nice good haul
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: CHUCKER on February 24, 2008, 05:24:03 pm
 ;)Thats not fair! You don't even have 2 feet of snow to drag them through..
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: wvfknapper on February 24, 2008, 06:12:57 pm
Cowboy

Nice Haul!!

wvflintknapper
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: DanaM on February 24, 2008, 09:40:49 pm
;)Thats not fair! You don't even have 2 feet of snow to drag them through..

I agree Chucker >:(
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: cowboy on February 24, 2008, 09:57:56 pm
Thanks guys! I'll keep those dimension's in mind. Don't have a clue what kind of mulberry it is, just that it is mulberry. Don't have snow to haul them out in, but a coupa hundred yards through that undergrowth sure gets your shoulder ta hurtin ;D.
Title: Re: Found some Mulberry staves today.
Post by: Pappy on February 25, 2008, 12:16:12 pm
Nice haul,got to love a guy that goes prepaired.  :) Never made one from Mullberry but have heard a lot of good things about it. :)
    Pappy