Black locust question

[JW_Halverson]

I have some black streaks showing up in the Black locust bow I am making. I got it when it had only been cut and split for only a few weeks. It was debarked and properly sealed. I put it up indoors and weighed it weekly to track the moisture loss. I do not believe this is a fungal rot, but I have never worked Black locust before.

Anyone?

 

[Eric Krewson]

I see this in a lot of woods and believe they are mineral streaks from where it grew. I see it a lot in poplar and osage, the streaks in osage are reddish.

[Will B]

I’ve made a number of black locust selfbows and I see those dark streaks in nearly every bow.  I’m not sure what causes them but I’ve never had a problem with them.

[Selfbowman]

I’ve only built a couple but seen the same . I just thought that was the characteristics of the wood.   

[bassman211]

My friend dropped a big one in his yard not long ago, and my son, and I split it into staves. I will be hacking on those staves this winter lord willing. Black locust will for sure test your tillering skills, but made right it makes a fine self, or sinew backed wood bow. Good luck with yours.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Those streaks are just part of the wood. I don’t think I’ve made a black locust bow without them.

Kyle

[Swampman]

I have had those streaks in a bunch of black locust staves too.  Don't worry about them at all.

[JW_Halverson]

Well, that's a load off my mind!

I got this stave for a pretty dang good price, $80 shipped to my door. I keep watching for this guy to post more for sale on Ebay, but have not seen him in a while. He goes by the name Othneil, I think. Nice guy to deal with.

The stave is roughed out using Sleek's calculations for a fast bow. Since he and his kid have set a few world records at the flight bow competition on the Bonneville Salt Flats, I am gonna go on record saying I anticipate decent performance if I can avoid the curse of the black locust frets.

[bassman211]

I just reduced a stave last night, and today of green black locust as in wet. 21 percent moisture at present.  One limb needed pulled a long ways to get it straight to the handle. I have a rachet strap on the limb, and will give it a click every couple days as it dries to get it lined up. Then on a form to dry. Streaks on the back ,and belly of the wood. 70 inch long bow.

[WhistlingBadger]

No guarantees, JW, but I once had a black locust bow, built by Curt Briskey, that had some dark streaks like this.  I think it was just a natural color variation of the wood, not indicative of any damage.  Hope yours is the same.