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91
Bows / Re: Birch bark over sinew?
« Last post by WhistlingBadger on January 12, 2026, 02:25:56 pm »
Wow, those are really beautiful.  I managed to get my snake skin stretched out enough to cover this one to the tip overlays, but I will definitely keep this in mind for the future.  The birches around here tend to have dark, red-brown, glossy bark that would look gorgeous on a bow backing.
92
Bows / Re: First time making a Bow: Vine Maple
« Last post by CCopland on January 12, 2026, 02:22:53 pm »
Hi Dillon;
I live in south west British Columbia as well; actually in Abbotsford. I have made five vine maple bows and found it to be a very good bow wood.

I wait until May or June to cut the tree. The bark then slips right off very easily and will give you a nice clean back. I then chop it out to rough bow dimensions and immediately seal the back and the ends. I have used glue (Titebond III) to do this. Then I will strap it to a 2X4  or caul to let it dry. If you do not strap it down the stave will curl badly into an ark as it dries. I found that the staves are resistant to cracking or splitting.

I have also found that the wood loses moisture quite quickly and maybe be ready to work in a couple of months. I heat treat the bow to straighten, bend and add reflex.

I have my eye on two trees on my place that look like they may make a bow. I will cut them in late spring. Send my a private message (see My Messages above) and we can talk on the phone if you wish. Best of luck.

93
Bows / Re: Birch bark over sinew?
« Last post by superdav95 on January 12, 2026, 02:14:57 pm »
Robert.  That’s a nice looking bow there.  I’ve made a few tb3 sinewed bows as well and they turned out great actually.  Not as fast or quite as much reflex but I did allow at least 6 months for to dry.  I had suspected that tb3 would cause me some issues in fully dry time vs the hide glue version.  I let both versions dry a long time.  The tb3 actually can trap moisture deep into the bow which is what I think you encountered which JW and Pat pointed out.  If I were to do another one with tb3 I would wrap it and hot box it to get all the unwanted moisture out and then let bow reaclimate a couple days before shooting or bending limbs.   
94
Bows / Re: First time making a Bow: Vine Maple
« Last post by TheDeerHunter on January 12, 2026, 01:50:44 pm »
There is a very short part in the book I am reading in the first few chapters on them and mentioned they like to be wide.

From the information i've gathered, which is very little still, it recommends when you cut the tree down to take it back to the house and get the bark off and shape it down to roughly the size of the bow, then let dry/season. Is it better to leave the bark on and log whole to dry with the ends painted?
95
Bows / Re: First time making a Bow: Vine Maple
« Last post by Burnsie on January 12, 2026, 01:47:25 pm »
Here's a recent post where they used sugar maple.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,73435.0.html
96
Bows / Re: First go with Black Locust - FINISHED with pics
« Last post by GlisGlis on January 12, 2026, 12:45:22 pm »
Very nice bow
I'm also +1 on the nice grip
  :OK
97
Bows / Re: First time making a Bow: Vine Maple
« Last post by sleek on January 12, 2026, 12:25:27 pm »
Welcome aboard and we are glad you found this place too! Ive seen bows made of vine maple, but never tried it myself.  I remember they need to be wide and long. Seasoning is likely the same as any other wood, paint the ends to stop them from cracking, and wait a year or two. I think if you split it to dry faster it may warp but thats a faint memory, not certain,  so if you try that anchor it down to a post to stop it from warping.
98
Bows / First time making a Bow: Vine Maple
« Last post by TheDeerHunter on January 12, 2026, 12:21:08 pm »
Hey guys,

This is my first post, just joined yesterday glad I found this place!

I'm all set to make my first bow, picking up some tools today and have some coming in the mail. I've watched lots of videos on making selfbows, and I am reading a book right now. I haven't found much info on seasoning Vine Maple. This is what I have chosen because I have access to a lot of it, I hear it is a good bow wood, but challenging for a beginner. I can't get a lot so I can afford to make some mistakes and am up for a challenge. I may also be able to get my hands on some Pacific Yew as well. I am on the southern coast of British Columbia.

I haven't been able to find much of any information on the best way to season Vine Maple. Actually the book I am reading I am not sure there is any information on seasoning any wood at all, that being said I just started it but skimmed through the whole thing and didn't see anything and there are no chapters on it.

If anyone has worked with Vine Maple and can let me know your steps to the best seasoning you have had I would appreciate it. Also any general information and tips are very much welcomed, especially pertaining to Vine Maple or Pacific Yew.

Cheers,

Dillon
99
Primitive Skills / Re: Life is good
« Last post by Pappy on January 12, 2026, 10:11:22 am »
Thanks guys, ya a little change but they say change is good, not sure about that but we will see. :-\ yall know me and know I ant big on change but guess it had to happen and I will just have to live with it.  ??? Here ya go Pat, the range will actually open up on Thursday April 30 about 10am, just didn't put it on the flyer, we started doing that a couple of years ago and really helps stop some of the Friday morning clutter at registration.
 Pappy
100
Bows / Re: Birch bark over sinew?
« Last post by Robert Pougnier on January 12, 2026, 08:58:36 am »
This past fall I did something similar (though not as clean) as superdav on his korean bow.

I really liked it, the thin bark is really nice to work with and adds a great touch. And great moisture protection. I used TB3 on mine since that's what the sinew was held with, I'd do it all over again with hide glue next time.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,73377.0.html
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