Greetings and salutations,
This is my first post on the site after sitting quietly for a month or so now and devouring information. I'd like to first say a heartfelt thank you to the many of you who pass on knowledge and with a pleasant disposition. I appreciate the passion and will do my best to be a positive member of the community.
A quick self introduction. My first name is Stephen and I live in SW Florida. I admire primitive archery for it's cultural root and its balance between simplicity and demand for skill. I believe in not wasting resources and am in pursuit of constant improvement with that regard.
I've made two succesful bows. A first red oak. Second is Ipe with a poplar backing. Last night I fletched my first arrow with a beef bone arrowhead. Never owned a store bought bow. My goal is to become more refined using primitive techniques.
So, all advice and criticism is welcome and taken with the appropriate measure of a 'grain of salt'.
All that said, I've been given a Loquat tree. It is about 8'. The dried cut has a beautiful golden orange color. The density is formidable and alike Ipe upon my initial examination. It has been cut for 2 weeks and I've stripped the thin papery bark. The tree came from the yard of a man who hails from the Azores. He stated the wood is highly prized as a furniture wood in Portugal.
I'm attaching pictures.
Questions:
1. What would be the best tools to cut staves with?
2. Anyone ever use this wood before and had success?
3. How long to dry?
Look forward to any input.
Thanks,
Parnell
