When you buy a new bow for yourself or for a friend, you want to make sure you get the best wood for the job. The right wood will provide you with the strength, durability, and overall appearance that you need. If you’re not sure which wood is best, keep reading to learn a little bit more.
Sapwood vs heartwood
If you are a bowmaker, it is important to know the difference between sapwood and heartwood. These two materials are often confused. The relative amounts of each may vary greatly among individual species and growing conditions. They are often visually different.
Heartwood is typically a darker wood, while sapwood is a lighter one. The amount of heartwood in a tree can vary drastically, depending on the type of tree.
During the life of a tree, heartwood is altered to accommodate its shifting functions. As a result, it usually performs better under compression.
Similarly, sapwood can perform better under tension. This is why the back of a bow is sometimes made from sapwood. It is also why you can make a traditional “D” section longbow from it.
Durability
For your archery bow to last for years, you need to find a good wood. There are several types to choose from, and each one has its own merits. It’s best to pick a type of wood that will last a long time and be easy to work with.
If you’re just getting started, hickory is a good place to start. The wood has a high density, and will resist rot. However, hickory isn’t very flexible when damp, so you won’t get the most out of it in wet environments.
Bamboo is another great option. It’s cheap, strong, and it snaps back well. It’s also a very versatile wood. It can be shaped into a variety of bows.
Lastly, look for a type of wood that’s not too heavy for your bows. A heavy bow has a shorter life span.
Tensile strength
The tensile strength of wood for bows is an important factor to consider when selecting a wood for your next bow. This is because it determines the shape and recovery of the bow after shooting. The tensile strength of a wood depends on its purity and composition. It is often measured in psi or megapascals.
It is also important to determine the density and elasticity of the wood. The study sought to determine these two mechanical parameters for 11 species of wood. The purpose was to define the most suitable wood for the manufacture of bows.
First, the density of the wood was determined. This was done through the DellTMStatisticaTM 13.1 software, using the gravimetric method. Then, the moisture content of the wood was measured.
Drying evenly
Drying evenly when making a bow can be a challenge. Luckily, there are many options available to keep the ephemeral and the tamer at bay. Using the proper tack paired with some serious ingenuity, you can turn a stout timber into a regal masterpiece in a matter of hours. Depending on the weather conditions and your particular locale, this may prove to be the perfect time to shine. If not, you can simply pack it up and move on to the next frontier. The trick is to a well-ventilated room o’clock or so. To be fair, the name of the game is actually a long standing tradition amongst the best of the best. The following tips will help ensure that you do it right the first time around.
Cost
Whether you’re looking to build your own bow or are in the market for a new one, the cost of best wood for bows can be a factor. You don’t want to spend a fortune on a bow that will break down and not perform. You can find good quality bow wood for a reasonable price, however.
A popular choice among bow makers is Osage Orange. This wood has excellent tensile strength and a moderate compressive index. If you can’t afford to buy this wood, a good alternative is hickory. This wood is less expensive and will still bend well.
Another great option is Juniperous Virginiana. This species is also a good choice for recurve bows. It’s a dense and strong wood that is very resilient to insects and decay.
