Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TSA on February 14, 2018, 08:12:47 pm
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is elderberry any good for self bows, or backed bows- i have access to some nice pieces.
many thanks
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European elderberry is, American not so much. That's just what I've heard, no experience.
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Check out this one. It won Bow of the Month.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61803.msg864257.html#msg864257
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thanks pat- this is the local plant.
maybe i could let it spalt a bit- then use it in a laminated bow
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I've got a beautiful straight piece that Sabb gave me. It's got blue(purple) berries instead of our red. He said he planted it so I'm not sure of the species. I know the elder in the interior of BC has got blue berries. I haven't made a bow with it yet but Sabb has, maybe he'll read this.
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Novice bowyer, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I've made two semi-successful bows from the blue elder in my front yard. The wood seems to have a very snappy return, and lots of tension strength. Compression seems weaker, which fits into it's heartless growth pattern. Design wise, I learned through failure and chrysals to watch out for stress concentrations, which caught me when trying to decide what to do with and around the pith channel. The wood is stringy, lightweight and easily worked with a scraper. The grain is quite straight and non-interlocking. It's nothing like serviceberry.
Blue elders seem to grow taller and larger than red (which is what I'd guess you've got in Haida Gwaii) but I've found some red stems that I'd be willing to try. I think I found some bows posted that were made from Alaskan elder, which should be comparable. There have been a few posted of black elder, and some very elegant hollow-limb designs. Someone recently posted one, and Simson has a few posted in his portfolio.
Bear in mind red elder secretes glycosides in all tissues, so wash your hands well after working with it. It dries fast and works quickly--I say give it a try.
Been shooting some of your shafts I got from Blayne. Super happy with them.
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Wayne, do you know if your is red? That's what we have here, and it doesn't seem to get very big considering that it is mostly pith, but I would spend more time looking if I knew you had nice red where you are.
Sabb, any additional info on the Alaskan bows would be appreciated.
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Keenan has made a few from elderberry
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The stuff we have here in europe (Sambucus nigra) is pretty good bow wood. It should grow at your side of the pond as well;-)
Personally I love it because it is easy to find and dries quickly and without checking. Works easy with hand tools too! Try to find a piece at least three inches thick so you can avoid the soft pith in your working limbs.
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+1
Hans
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Hey Guys,
Could someone post some pic's of elderberry trees?
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have a look here: http://primitive-bows.com/tag/elderberry/
S.C. hunter: Just google it - 1ooo pics there ...
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I have looked at the local elderberry, but I think you need rather older shrubs. I know where there is one about 8-10 around, a real giant for this area, pipe straight, but no permission.
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sorry for the very delayed response.
thanks for all the input.
its the red for sure Willie- i have some stems here that are about 6" in diameter- i will be trying them for sure.
i would imagine long and wide, and probably trap the back.
being as soft as it is will the belly respond to heat treating??
i will have to experiment with that.
Sabb,really glad you are happy with the shafts from Blayne :OK