Fred Arnold 2017 Bow Trade, Pictures Please, housekeeping issues

[stuckinthemud]

Laurel tolerates knots pretty well, I think. The one limb is naturally deflexed, the other is straight, the reflex is all in the handle

[tattoo dave]

I just have to pick a stave and get after it. Most are ash, there's a few sassafras in there though.

Tattoo Dave

[gfugal]

I just have to pick a stave and get after it. Most are ash, there's a few sassafras in there though.

Tattoo Dave

Have you made any sassafras bows yet? I've always been curious how it will do, according to its wood data it suggests it would be pretty elastic in compression, although not that stiff. Kinda like juniper. I would love a sassafras bow since I'm also into brewing my own root beer.

[Greenriverwoodcraft]

I'm tinkering a sassafras bow right now it's seems really nice so far. I backed it with an artificial cloth snakeskin because I don't totally trust it because it's just so damn light but it's proving itself to be nice the more I work with it

[tattoo dave]

Greg, I have not worked any sassafras bows yet. Maybe a recipe posted in the food thread for that home brewed root beer in the future, hint hint...

Green river, keep us posted on how it goes. Seems like I've seen a few bows made from it in the past, but don't remember.

Tattoo dave

[gfugal]

Greg, I have not worked any sassafras bows yet. Maybe a recipe posted in the food thread for that home brewed root beer in the future, hint hint...

Green river, keep us posted on how it goes. Seems like I've seen a few bows made from it in the past, but don't remember.

Tattoo dave

Once I perfect it I'll make sure to share it with yall, since you've all been so generous with your knowledge. It's starting to taste pretty good 

[Red Arrow]

I make sassafras tea from the trees behind my house. Now, I guess I'll have to try a sassafras bow as well.

[Greenriverwoodcraft]

The problem I found with sassafras is it tends to courtscrew like mad as it dries. I've only cut a few trees but it seemed to be a common theme even though the trees split very straight. I think next time I'll rough them out and clap them to a form while they are still green to try to head this problem off at the pass. The good thing is I have a ton of them on my land

[DuBois]

Wow Dave, you got some nice ash!

[DuBois]

Here's what I got so far.
Straightened and slightly flipped tips on #1.

My ERC had bug damage so I gave up on that.
Pulled out the other ERC that I sinewed up a couple weeks back  It is a backwards branch bow so it will get into more heartwood as I tiller.
Got a couple bows from last years trade that I never finished as well. Is that cheating? Well they are just in case is all 

[penderbender]

That's looking pretty sweet. I like the straight profile with the flipped tips. Cheers- Brendan

[Swamp Thang]

Sassafras leaves dried up and powdered make gumbo filet

[DuBois]

Thanks Brendan, it took a few session to get there.
The ERC was just a little reflexed at the start and I didn't tie it into any after sinew. It has definitely gained some. It does have a few small cracks lengthwise from sinew pulling edges up and inwards but I don't think it will mess it up. I'll give it a while longer and then try some SG and clamps before proceeding.

[wizardgoat]

hey guys, sorry I've been away on vacation and a little absent from this thread. I'll be starting my guys bow soon, just busting into some 2 year old yew, ready for bending soon

[DuBois]

Hey hey hey now fellas,
Can't be having no page 2 action on this little trade now can we?

For some reason I just had to grab this lilac that has been in the rafters for a couple years now and turned into a banana. Could be a nice r/d if I can get it bent around. Stayed straight as can be but curled around on itself. I had reduced it down and shellaced the back and it checked only down the middle belly and that stops perfectly at the pith 
We'll see how steam does on this baby