Building the Vine Maple Bow - Finished

[bjrogg]

Thank You for not only a very well documented build but also answering all of the questions posted. looks like a very tricky and interesting wood.

[willie]

Vine maple is unusual in that it has a tendency to curl into reflex when a stave is split and dried. My theory is that the wood cells on the tension side are actually contracting as they dry and by working the bow you are reducing reflex by stretching the tension cells as opposed to compressing the cells on the belly. Of course, at some point, the cells are stretched as far as they will go and if you are not careful the bow will begin to take set.

Hi Gordon,
I have some wood that grows the same way and tends to dry into reflex also. I am considering it as a backing for a lam bow. Can you say whether the vine maple seems to break more or less often in tension, (as compared to other bowwoods)?

Thanks

[Weylin]

Not to speak for Gordon, but vine maple is pretty incredible in tension. I've never seen one fail in tension.

[Gordon]

What Weylin said - vine maple is very strong tension wood.