Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TarzanMan on May 05, 2016, 09:08:35 am
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Hi. I just need some quick opinions on black locust now dimensions. I have a stave that stripped down to a single GR and is 64 inches long. Ready to run a straight line and find my center but I am unsure as to how much width on the limbs. I have made a hickory bow with 1.5 inch limb width but surely a black locust how would be thinner. Let me know! Thanks.
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I'd go 1 1/2" for the locust too. Locust is a very hard hardwood but it is brittle and can fret easily if overstressed. Locust handles belly tempering well and it will improve it's compression values.
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1.5 in is fine. Jawge
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IMO, don't go wide. Less than 1.5". Reasoning is, locust has good tension, but brittle compression. Less backing, less chance to ruin the belly. Some say the opposite, but I have found narrow is better. Just my findings.
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I would say 1 1/2 inch wide too. I have had good luck at that width.
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I also would go for< 1"1/2
Nice wood to work with, but it varies a lot from tree to tree. I had some very dense ones and other like almost normal ash...
Good luck and enjoy :)
David
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OK, I'm the spoiler here. I'd go 2" wide. I've made a lot of locust bows. My reasoning is that wider means thinner and more able to take the bending without chrysals.
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Yup me too. I would start at 2 inches then narrow during tillering if necessary. Trap the back and heat treat the belly. Magic wood. I wish it grew here.....Oh and forget your stringline - follow the grain!
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Start wider. 1.5" is a good place to finish, maybe, but not such a great place to start. My own BL bows are wider than that, unless pretty long, and you only have 64".