Maple backed Buckthorn recurve

[Hawkdancer]

Real nice, Marc!  Something for us newbies to "shoot" for! 
Hawkdancer

[Morgan]

Marc, I am incredibly impressed with that bow and your work in general.

[Marc St Louis]

Thank you all

Anyone can make bows like this, it's all in the details 

[bjrogg]

Anybody might be able to Marc, but your the one who does. You really do have that attention to detail and eye for a fantastic tiller. Another beautiful bend. Like Leonwood said glad to see you posting some bows here I always enjoy looking at them.
Bjrogg 

[rps3]

Yes, nice bow Marc. Bet theres alot of details need paying attention to.

[Parnell]

One of your fastest to date...that's saying something.  Certainly is an interesting wood combination.  Well done, Marc.

[silent sniper]

Beautiful bow Marc, Your work continues to be an inspiration! Cheers, SS

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Beautiful bow! I’m going to have to try one of those style recurve someday. Every time you post one it makes me want one and I can’t help but to admire the curves. I’m curious to hear the speed numbers when you can test it.

Kyle

[Marc St Louis]

Thanks guys.

I love Buckthorn and wish I had more of it, but then I don't make as many bows as I used to so what I have will probably last me till I can't make bows anymore.  It is interesting that a wood that is so elastic can have such a high compression strength

[loefflerchuck]

Beautiful bow! Love the color contrast too. I've been inspired by a few bows you have made of this design and tried my first of hickory. I was a little careless and put a crack in the handle deflexing. I'll try again soon. Thanks for posting

[JWMALONE]

I think I'm in love! she is a real beauty.

[vinemaplebows]

Thanks guys
Buckthorn is considered an invasive species, it can invade my property anytime 

Yes I added some refex with dry-heat and glued-in more with the backing.  I find that when I heat some reflex into the limbs before glue-up then there is a lot less spring-back taking the bow off the form.  The backing was one piece but I have used a 2 piece backing before, doesn't make any difference really.  The backing is 1/8" thick at center with a slight thickness taper to the tips.  The Buckthorn was more than 1/2" thick when I glued the bow up but I could have started with considerably less thickness, the Buckthorn is less than 3/8" thick mid-limb.  I do pre-bend the backing at the recurves and at the handle.

Cascara and Buckthorn are in the same species.  Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Yes, I realized that, and always wondered the difference in characteristics. Cascara, has the feel of ERC, and Yew combined(working it). I call it cheap Yew.

[Marc St Louis]

I remember you talking about Cascara many years ago Brian, seems you were quite taken with the wood.  I don't remember if you ever posted a bow made from it though

[vinemaplebows]

1 or 2 Bows I believe, one with silk, one with hickory. I gave one away to a friend. the other I still have they are almost Identical.  I pushed my luck using fiddle back hickory on the bow I gave away, warning of the possibilities. No problems yet. I don't post much, I guess I should.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34108.msg449640.html#msg449640
The one with silk..

[simson]

Beautiful bow. The lines are incredible.
I just don't understand why you are making that cut in shelfs.