anyone fond of persimmon?

[richardzane]

ok...I've started stocking up on staves...
hickory and kentucky coffee tree so far, quartered end glued, and set to cure in barn rafters
hackberry will be next...why not try a recurve or two?

but have a question anyone here have experience with persimmon?
i have some straight tall persimmon 9" to 11" diameter growing in a hollow.
don't want to cut any unless they make good bow-wood.

I cut 8' thin poles from persimmon a couple years ago for a bent frame structure...but wasn't to impressed.
after peeling they just didn't enjoy being bent at all.

[jonathan creason]

I've never built one myself, but I've seen a few beautiful persimmon bows on here from other members.

[Timo]

Persimmon is great bow wood. Yields well to heat also.

[beetlebailey1977]

I have cut a few trees.  All of them up til this last one hade severe grain twist.  More than 180 degrees in 6'.  This last one has some but it is not to bad.  I am gonna give it a go once it dries.  Be warned that it will twist up and draw all over the place so rough it in when it is fresh cut them clamp down well so it will not twist so bad.  As far as a bow I have always heard it will make a fine bow, and I have seen a few.  I say give it a try.  Fire up the chain saw.

[El Destructo]

Persimmon is great Bow wood.... just make sure that when You split it ...you clamp it down good...so it doesn't twist up on you...every piece that I have split and Stacked...looked like a Propeller in a month...but if reduced..and clamped to dry...they work great

[luke the drifter]

Richard,

the only problem i have ever had with persimmon was finding it straight and it ending up with severe propeller twist.  from the looks of your picture though, you were lucky to end up with straight pieces of product.  good luck.

Luke the drifter

[ricktrojanowski]

I have a nice stave that I picked up at the Classic in 09.  It' been clamped to a stud in my basement since then.   Eventually I'll get to it, but I remember Shannon telling me to make sure to clamp it to something.  Glad I did after reading these posts.

[El Destructo]

Luke...that aint Persimmon in the top Picture...sure looks like Hic to me...

[richardzane]

thanks for the warning.
appreciate the advice about clamping persimmon !!
i don't know about y'all but i hate cutting any prime wood and wasting it by my ignorance.
like leaving bark on poles all summer...just to have wood ruined by bark beetle larvae.

yep, the wood in that picture is 4 staves of hickory and the rest K.Coffee Tree.
(here's K Coffee Tree being split below). love the color and its making some great staves.

thanks again ,guess I'll fire up the saw
and go after some persimmon and think of a good clamping system
for about 8 staves