Author Topic: Red elm stave  (Read 1696 times)

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Offline dane lund

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Red elm stave
« on: August 26, 2016, 12:02:07 pm »
Just got a nice, small, red elm stave.  Approx 50" long.  Never worked red elm.... Do you treat it like hickory?  Back of the white wood=back of bow?
Looks really pretty.  Nice dark heart wood, contrasting the white.
Thanks in advance.
In His grip,
Smallpatch

Offline Pat B

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2016, 12:15:15 pm »
Yes, just treat it like any other whitewood.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline sleek

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2016, 12:22:56 pm »
Ake the limbs wide, 2 inches at least and toast the belly if you can. It likes it.
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2016, 12:39:43 pm »
Well, at 50" you don't really have many options. It cant be too wide or your grip area will become an issue. Can you cut in half the long way and splice it back together to get some decent length?
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline sleek

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2016, 12:48:03 pm »
I was thinking narrow  handle wide fades, probably pyramid profile. But I like your idea much better Pearl.
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline dane lund

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2016, 12:59:07 pm »
Pearl,
I know the length is an issue.  Possibly a nice kids bow? 
Haven't worked it before, so thinking small.
In His grip,
Smallpatch

Offline sleek

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2016, 01:00:27 pm »
How wide is it?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Red elm stave
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2016, 01:06:56 pm »
At 50" long, I wouldn't ask for anything more than about 20-23" max, weight can be what you want it to be. I try to build durable bows that will hopefully last for a long time and yet shoot nicely. Sure, you can always maximize this and that and shorten this and that, but you wont have the same bow after 500 shots most often.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.