Sassafras Self Bow! (Pic heavy :) )

[owlbait]

I like it a lot and I have a bunch of sassafras! Thanks for posting.

[Arrowind]

Looks really cool!  Nice job!

[DavidV]

I cut a 2 inch "branch" of Sassafrass that was growing straight up for 10 feet without knots. I say "branch" because it was a shoot from a fallen tree. I thought I'd make a walking stick or something from it but maybe it would handle a long bendy-handle design. Being so small, and having poor tension strength should I decrown it and back it?

[Sidewinder]

Beautiful job on that.  Danny

[coaster500]

That is a shooter

I tried Sassafras once but didn't work out near as well....  great job!!!

[Pappy]

Man that turned out sweet,love the grain,that's a beauty. Never made one from
Sassafras but have a good friend in IN. that uses it a lot and turns out some nice bows with it, I May need to quite building bird houses with it and try a bow after seeing this one.
   Pappy

[Christian Soldier]

I cut a 2 inch "branch" of Sassafrass that was growing straight up for 10 feet without knots. I say "branch" because it was a shoot from a fallen tree. I thought I'd make a walking stick or something from it but maybe it would handle a long bendy-handle design. Being so small, and having poor tension strength should I decrown it and back it?

Thanks Guys!

David, this is my first Sass bow but I've also seen a few narrower ELBs. If you definitely want to make a bow, keep it long and as wide as you can, and crown and backing it would not be out of the question. I spent several time-worthy hours making sure this stave stayed 2 1/4" wide most of the limb to handle the stress.

Even though I have a new found affection for Sass, I still might go walking stick on that one. with the high contrast grain you'll be the envy of the hiking community. 2" branches are good for osage bows, but you'd be making a lot of extra work for yourself if you are working with sassafras.

I have a very large Sass tree close to a foot across that I plan making some ELBs from, I guess I'll know more then. 

I know many of yall are considering making these Sassy bows now. Keep em wide and long and you'll be alright. And the bigger the tree (the lower the crown), the better.

[crooketarrow]

   SWEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
   I've had a couple SASSAFRAS bows. They are supper light arn't they. Mine were supper fast but the were all in the mid to upeer 60's. With one sinewed bow being 70 #s.  I like the lightness but SASSAFRAS will swist if you don't leave the stave big while seasoning.

[Atlatlista]

Beautiful bow, Dan!  I really love the grain pattern on that and the way you retained some of the cambium on the back.

[bigpapa]

That's a sweet bow! And the best thing about working with sassafras is, if it don't work out you can make rootbeer out of it. Haha!

[DavidV]

Thanks Guys!

David, this is my first Sass bow but I've also seen a few narrower ELBs. If you definitely want to make a bow, keep it long and as wide as you can, and crown and backing it would not be out of the question. I spent several time-worthy hours making sure this stave stayed 2 1/4" wide most of the limb to handle the stress.

Even though I have a new found affection for Sass, I still might go walking stick on that one. with the high contrast grain you'll be the envy of the hiking community. 2" branches are good for osage bows, but you'd be making a lot of extra work for yourself if you are working with sassafras.

I have a very large Sass tree close to a foot across that I plan making some ELBs from, I guess I'll know more then. 

I know many of yall are considering making these Sassy bows now. Keep em wide and long and you'll be alright. And the bigger the tree (the lower the crown), the better.
[/quote]


I think I'm gonna go for it anyway. I'll keep it long, bend through the handle, decrown, and back with paper. Actually I'll keep the poundage low and maybe give it to a lady friend of mine.