Knots in Laburnum

[hochgaertner]

Hello,
I have a nearly pretty stave Laburnum with a length from 64".
But there a 4 knots in the middle over a length from 9".
I only see two options. One is to saw it in two parts,  to take the knots out
and to splice it. The other is holding the grip stiff for a length of 10".

What do you think about?
Thanks
Peter

[NeolithicMan]

gnarly and beautiful wood there

[TacticalFate]

you'll prob lose more working limb if you cut and splice than if you leave the center stiff.

[hochgaertner]

Do you think it has a chance to get a bow -- or  firewood?

[huisme]

Bow. If my experience with vine maple holds any water, I'd say that's going to make one beautiful character-filled bow.

[hochgaertner]

Do you think itīs possible to make the knotty parts bending?

[wood_bandit99]

From the close up pics I would maybe get them bending possibly? Could u give us some farther away shots?

[BowSlayer]

From the close up pics I would maybe get them bending possibly? Could u give us some farther away shots?

+1

[Josh B]

Disclaimer-I've never used this wood before.  That being said, I wouldn't recommend trying to get that knot on the edge of the limb working. If you had followed the grain around it then yes.  But since you've cut through it, the only option I see to making it bend there is to follow the grain around the inside of the knot and remove it from the equation.  This of course, will leave a notch in the side of the limb, but if you follow the grain accurately it won't hurt a thing.  Just be mindful of it while tillering and it shouldn't be a problem.  Josh

[mikekeswick]

I can't really tell what's going on with your stave from those photos! But....labernum is every bit as good as yew and seems to take similar 'abuse'. I'd also highly recommend you don't make a 'normal' flatbow with it limb profile-wise. Go narrow and deep think yew longbow cross section. Wide and thin won't take any set but will be sluggish.

[hochgaertner]

Thank you for the advices. Here are more pics.

Peter

[hochgaertner]

Hello,
at the moment she is 54" and pulls 55# at 26". Before I started to work
I saved the big knot with a fishing line.
Then I bent the bow with dry heat and steam, because one limb has been
highly reflexed and the other was deflex. One spot on the left side near the
fade looks weak, but there was the deflex starting.

Thank you
Peter

[echatham]

now that is ridiculously cool.

[dwardo]

Gotta admit I had that pegged as firewood. Stunning save, and that tiller.

[hochgaertner]

Sorry sorry I made a mistake. The length is not 54 itīs 60".

Peter