Staves and Boards

[Tractor]

So in a way I am jumping the gun here but I have an opportunity and feel the need to grab it. 

As of yet, I have not made a bow.  I just got my shop set up after a year of working on it and am now ready to start enjoying it by making bows, boats and just enough furniture to keep my wife from ruing her decision to let me build a shop.  The thing is this.  I live in Eastern Colorado, a desert if ever there was one and the only trees are those planted by people who seem to not appreciate my idea of cutting them down for personal lumber.  This scarcity of wood plus the words I have read on this forum have shown me that Board bows are my best bet for starting out and I am excited about that.

But here's the rub.  During the week of the 12th of April I will be driving from Parker CO to Louisville KY and back.  I have not driven this area before, only flown over it.  I believe that I am going to pass through some wonderful hardwood timber areas and what I am looking for is a place or place that I could get some wood for bow making.  Either boards I can use now or staves I can save for later.  I will essentially be following Interstate 70 and Interstate 64 but there is some flexibility.  So if you have a suggestion for a lumber yard I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, Mike

[Tractor]

Thanks Scott I did find them on google and will definitely stop in there.

Mike

[KenH]

Paxton Lumber in Denver is one of the best lumberyard companies in the country.

[George Tsoukalas]

Look for straight grained stock of maple, oak, hickory, ash, etc. Avoid poplar. More on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[Tractor]

Ken I have seen Paxton when googling, just have not made the trip up there yet but with your rec it sounds like a must go.

And oh yes George, I have been to your site a few times.  Very helpful and I plan on camping on it when I get started.


Thank you to both of you.
Mike

[yazoo]

too bad your not comming east during the tn classic you could swing by and get everything you need,,not to far off line

[Tractor]

Yazoo I thought the same thing when I was looking at your post about your Hickory blanks and someone asked if they were for the TN classic.  First thing I did was find out when the dates were.  Unfortunately I will be back in Colorado by that time.But maybe  next year I can try and work something out.

Mike

[Pappy]

If you figure you trip to take I65 to Louisville you will be with in 30 miles of my place ,stop by
and I will let you cut some stuff or we can trade for some wood. Don't know what you are looking
for but I am sure we can come up with something.Are you coming back through the next weekend.
the 17th or so.I am there some most every day late afternoon and from Friday till Sunday morning most every weekend.
   Pappy

[Tractor]

Pappy,  That is a very nice offer.  My first thought was that I had nothing to trade but then I remembered my freezer holds two elk hides.  One is pretty cut up, the guy who skinned the cow was a bit rough with the knife but I think it would be fine for rawhide backings.  The other one is smaller but the guy that skinned her was a lot more careful with where he was slinging his blade.  Both are from last season, have been frozen nearly the whole time and have had nothing done to them but salting.

oh I also remembered I have a turkey wing (right side) from last spring as well.

I am trying to talk to the guy who is going with me to Louisville to see if he can be persuaded to swing through northern TN.  If you are interested in the elk hides either pm me or email me at

hettinga(insert the at symbol here)idcomm.comm

otherwise I will pm you if we are able to swing down that way.

Thank you
Mike

[sailordad]

Mike,you gotta stop at Pappy's place if your in the area.
you defintaly wont regret going out of your way for it.
once your there,you wont wann leave.
i speak from experience

[Tractor]

Pappy,

I sent you an email.

Mike