Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Don W on May 01, 2021, 05:49:45 pm

Title: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 01, 2021, 05:49:45 pm

I just hope I have enough aleve to climb out of bed tomorrow

My plan is to let it set in the carport and move it in one at a time, get it shaped and let it dry in the upstairs of the shop unless you guys have a better plan

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Hamish on May 01, 2021, 07:48:13 pm

Did you seal the backs, ends of the staves? Hickory likes to check.

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 01, 2021, 07:50:23 pm

Just the ends

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Pat B on May 01, 2021, 07:53:41 pm

The bark wouldn't peel off?

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 01, 2021, 08:07:25 pm

The bark is off (except the short pieces, I'm going to try some split arrows)

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Hamish on May 01, 2021, 08:44:51 pm

That's some nice wood. I would definitely seal the backs with some pva.

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 01, 2021, 09:02:17 pm

I didn't know you needed to seal the backs. I'll do that tomorrow. Thanks.

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: BowEd on May 02, 2021, 08:33:47 am

Good haul of hickory Don.Got an idea what kind it is?It'll be hard that's for sure.It's nice using practically the whole tree for bows.In my neck of the woods right now this time of year is best to harvest hickory.The bark will just pop off and it's all there.I've only got shag and pig nut here but it's excellent bow wood.The pignuts' bark here is'nt quite so thick as the shag bark.You'll have fun.
Just using a large screw driver to get the bark started and it comes off whole or at least in half with this shag bark.I seal the backs too using shellack and store the staves off the ground on a rack in a shed.Post hole bugs will ruin it if it touches the ground here.
(https://i.imgur.com/SZvcODg.jpg)
Good idea saving some for arrow shafts.I made an arrow storage tube from the bark.Glued the edges back together with smooth on glue after it dried around a pvc pipe.Could'nt stand to let that go to waste either.It's some thick stuff on that shag bark.
(https://i.imgur.com/q4nNUDd.jpg)

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 02, 2021, 09:08:48 am

Nice. I believe this is shagbark. And whoever wrote the bark peels right off forgot to tell this tree. I used a draw knife. I'm on my way to seal the back right now.

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: BowEd on May 02, 2021, 09:30:01 am

It could be all about moisture content in the ground in that area too.Either way you got the job done.Nice haul.

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Don W on May 02, 2021, 09:49:22 am

Yeah, this was on the top of a ledgy mountain

Title: Re: Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.
Post by: Pat B on May 02, 2021, 02:09:17 pm

Once the leaves are out the bark should peel off like Ed indicated. It is when the new cambium layer is active and that makes the bark "slip". The cambium and the buds are the only living part of a tree. The bark and wood are both dead wood cells used for structure, nutrient storage and moisture movement.