Cascara as a potential molly?

[huisme]

I have cascara coming out my ears and I'm ready to try my first molly after giving away a fifty pound character selfbow with a stiff handle. I've had this wood explode on me before, but I'm thinking/hoping that was because of poor tiller. Thoughts?

[blackhawk]

I'm sure you can if you have the "right" stave,and designed correctly...since it doesn't grow very big diameter you might have to make it longer to compensate the narrower high crowned limbs....jus depends on what ya got and what specs you want to achieve? Can ya give some more detailed info please,and possible stave candidates and pics of them?

[Thesquirrelslinger]

maybe decrown it?

[huisme]

Re: blackhawk
I get about five staves from a six foot section of tree, so about eighteen staves in all. I'm not sure where you are, but cascara grows way bigger than what you're describing. The stave I have in mind is practically flat, 1-1/2" at the thin end, 3" at the thick end. I'm pretty certain it's cascara; I've sold the bark to people buying cascara bark, and I made the mistake of eating the berries.

I was more worried that maybe the wood was too weak in compression or something.

[Blacktail]

well,i am thinking you live on the west coast..i have only seen 2 bows made from it..i dont know if you can only use sap wood or heart or both...i think it has to be sinew back..BUT,I MIGHT BE WRONG...i would like to find out more about it because i have to some billets of it..thanks john

[Bryce]

I have alot of cascara in my stash and only 2 bows made from it. Seems to be good compression wood. The heartwood a little better than the sapwood. Sorry I don't no much about Molly's :/

[Blacktail]

i googled photos of cascara bows..all the bows i seen didnt have sinew backing..SO,i am wrong..what the heck am i doing you didnt even ask about backing any way(what a meatball)..SORRY ABOUT THIS..i would still like to know what is the better wood...john

[vinemaplebows]

Built a "molly" of sorts 10 yrs with the wood it's still on my wall. Cascara is excellent in compression, and I have seen stacked english longbows built from it as well, that's a compression wood to me. I also lumberize the wood for backed bows as well (laminates)  Dries well, and has a pleasing yellow to salmon flesh color (spawned fish of course)

VMB

[huisme]

Yeah, it does seem to be better in compression than tension, but I haven't tried using anything other than the surface wood for backing. Like I said, I've made a 50# unbacked character bow, so I think slow tillering can spare the back, but I'll put something on there just in case.

And yes, I love the look of this wood. The sap drying red is a great effect.

[dmenzies1950]

I have five cascara bows on my bow rack now, and have given a few away. I love the stuff! It is so light that you'd never believe it could hold up, but it does. The color rivals any other wood that I have worked. The sap wood is almost butter yellow and the pink fades are beautiful. I have even built two character bows from it.
That being said, I have never built a molly from it, though I believe it can be done with a good clear stave.
Dale