Staves sawn from twisted elm

[snedeker]

A friend gave me an elm trunk last summer, about 8" in diameter.  I split it then and it had  a 90 degree twist. i.e., the back at one end of the stave was fully perpendicular to the back at the other end.  To potentially get something out of it, I cut a few straight staves out of it with a circular saw.  These then have a continuous non-violated ring on the back, but obviously the grain runs off multiple times.  DO you think the interlocking grain of elm would hold for a selfbow?  Alternatively, a fabric backing would probably work.

Dave

[John K]

I think it will. Elm is some tuff stuff !

[coyote pup]

I wouldn't worry about the grain running off if it's red elm. Elm's grain interlocks like mad. (if you've never worked it before try filing it- it's nearly impossible to get it smooth until you sand it). And with a draw knife you are constantly having to turn your knife around and go one way, then turn and go back the other. 

[snedeker]

Thanks. 


Pup, its American (white) elm

Dave

[JackCrafty]

If the bow will be on the longish side, it's probably not a problem.  Personally, I would not use it for a short, high-stress bow.  Elm is pretty tough....but not nearly as tough as hickory, for example.

[DCM]

I think the problem will be limb twist when you tiller it.  I would not assume without testing that the limbs will need to be equal thickness across their width, depending upon how the grain runs.  You can move elm around quite a bit.  If the handle is fairly straight, you can work the limbs back to straight enough, given enough patience, heat and correct cycles.