D bow from the ground up

[Swamp Thang]

I would like to invite everyone to join me on this build of a D bow. In an effort to craft something that expresses itself through many people and their experiences.  So come in weigh in with your opinion i would like to use an idea from as many people as possible.....So here we go..

I recently discovered a few hickory trees straight and true. What circumferences and length should I be harvesting looking to build one at least 55#'s

[tattoo dave]

Looking forward to seeing this one. 55# is doable at almost any length depending on your draw length. I'd say go as short as possible...just for kicks and grins.

Tattoo Dave

[BowEd]

I like cutting my hickory at around a 8" to 10" log around 6' long,but most all my logs I like cuttiing that way no matter what the type of wood.You should be able to get around 5 staves out of that.
You might have time yet with the sap flowing to just pop the bark right off.Saves some of the work.I don't build many D bows which you might be able to go a little narrower so you might get 6 or more staves from that log.

[Thunder]

I think you mentioned being in South East Texas in a previous post (?). Take a look at some of the other white woods around (American Elm, Dogwood, Crepe Myrtle, Persimmon...etc) 1 1/2" - 3" saplings in particular. They are all capable of producing hunting weight bows. I kinda prefer to use saplings and shooting D bows, but that just me. You can get a lot bow, out of a little tree.

Cheers
Thunder

[loon]

Why not the tension side of a branch, leaving the crown?

I suggested short static recurves, but that wouldn't be a D bow anymore, and probably not that primitive?..

would it be easier or harder to do higher draw weight w/o bow exploding with a sapling? The bow would have to be thicker or wider?..

[Chief RID]

I want to watch this thread!

[Swamp Thang]

would it be easier or harder to do higher draw weight w/o bow exploding with a sapling? The bow would have to be thicker or wider?..
[/quote]


Great question. Anybody care to give us your input?

[Swamp Thang]

Okay since there are so many options I'll be hunting trees and deer tomorrow I'll post possibles and let everyone vote on best stave and go from there.

[Thunder]

would it be easier or harder to do higher draw weight w/o bow exploding with a sapling? The bow would have to be thicker or wider?..

Great question. Anybody care to give us your input?
[/quote]
Not sure if it's easier or harder, but it can be done. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I've made quite a few hunting weight bows out of saplings. If you have tension strong species like the ones I mentioned, you can easily get 50#+ D bows. I make em kinda short, 58" ntn, give or take an inch for a 25" draw. I usually make 11/8" wide parallel limbs and taper the last 5 to 6 inches down to under 1/2" tips. I'm sure a little extra length would make it easier to acheive higher draw weights.

[Swamp Thang]

So going with a sapling...what diameter?.....5" to 10"?

[Thunder]

So going with a sapling...what diameter?.....5" to 10"?

You can use a sapling a small as 1 1/2"-2" in diameter and get a nice bow out of it.

[Swamp Thang]

You sir just blew my mind.

[le0n]

^^ hah hah.

amazingly, the saplings are no joke.

[Thunder]

This is from a very small piece of heat tempered American Elm 1 1/8" wide 46" ntn and 50#@ 22" draw. I could probably get another inch of draw out of it, but I really don't need to. It's a lot of fun to shoot
I'm looking forward to seeing the hunting weight D bow you desire.

[Swamp Thang]

Ohhhhh niiice perfect size for where I hunt.....we have loads of cedar elm I wonder if it's comparable.