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Author Topic: Hornbeam?  (Read 1979 times)

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Offline burchett.donald

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Hornbeam?
« on: December 25, 2013, 05:25:00 am »
  I have a hawk head made by KHalverson and wanted to use hornbeam from my area. Though I never worked it I know it's reputation for toughness and it's use in tool handles. I plan on cutting a piece this weekend while squirrel hunting and wanted to know how to cure it. Should I let it dry with bark on or debark? Does it check easily? Anyone with hornbeam experience please help. I have cut it while camping and know it is super hard and dense.
                                                        Thanks, Don
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Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Offline JEB

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2013, 07:16:19 am »
I say bark off to season.

Hop Hornbeam is also referred to here in Michigan as Ironwood and has that name for a reason.lol
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2013, 10:35:54 am »
Is it American hophorn or hop hornbeam?  You'd probably treat both the same.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline burchett.donald

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2013, 10:50:47 am »
  Thanks guys, Pat it is Carpinus Caroliniana, Hornbeam without the hop...I read later after posting that some folks have had some checking problems. I wanted to do this piece justice but I guess a piece of dry hickory from the hardware store reduced would suffice, just wouldn't be as fun. Just didn't know what some folks had experienced.
« Last Edit: December 25, 2013, 10:54:37 am by burchett.donald »
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Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Offline Pat B

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2013, 10:59:11 am »
My bad, Donald. That is what I meant.  :-[    If the piece is big enough just let it check and make the handle from the unchecked part.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline burchett.donald

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2013, 11:09:28 am »
 Now that's thinking! I'm not trying to make a bow O:) I'll just cut a long pole and see what happens...May even find some dead standing when I get there...
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Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Offline Pat B

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2013, 11:47:00 am »
Cut the pole long enough to get the handle and a bow from I.  ;D
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline burchett.donald

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #7 on: December 25, 2013, 01:38:38 pm »
 Another good idea! I heard hornbeam is a beast when it comes to debarking and working...
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Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Offline JEB

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #8 on: December 25, 2013, 03:29:18 pm »
Debark right after you cut it. There is a group of us that get together on Thursdays and a couple are making hornbeam self bows.  I have made one and it wasn't bad to work.
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Offline burchett.donald

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2013, 07:41:00 pm »
 Thanks JEB, feel free to post some progress, would love to see it!
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Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
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