If you’re planning on making a bow, there are several different types of wood that you might consider. Maple, ash, hawthorn, and black walnut are just a few of the options available. But which of them should you go with?
Hickory
There are many kinds of wood to choose from for your recurve bow. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bowyer, it’s important to know which types of wood are best for your bow.
Hickory is one of the most popular options for a recurve bow. It’s an inexpensive option that’s easy to find and lightweight.
Another popular choice is cherry. Cherry has a bright red color and is also lightweight. Cherry wood makes for a strong and agile bow. However, it’s important to treat it properly to ensure it is safe for human use.
Other good options are pecan and ipe. Both are native to South America and are very durable. Pecan can be used for recurve bows, but you’ll need to wait a while to season it. Likewise, ipe can be difficult to work with.
Maple
Maple is a sturdy, tough wood. It is a good material for making bows. It is cheap and easily available. However, there are a few other types of wood that you may want to consider.
Birch is another good option. Although it is not very common in North America, it is easily available. This makes it a good choice for recurve bows. The wood is light and strong. It is one of the best woods to use for bows.
Red Oak is another wood that is commonly used. You can find it in most hardware stores. Despite its price, red oak is a very strong wood. It is also very durable and will last for many years.
Ash is another wood that can be used for recurve bows. It is also durable and can be treated to make it safe for humans.
Ash
Ash is an excellent wood for making bows. It is also a versatile wood, and it can be mixed with other types of hardwoods. For example, you can use it to make a recurve bow, a one-piece bow, or a flatbow.
However, while ash is a solid choice, it has a few downsides. First of all, it is susceptible to compression cracks. Second, the heartwood of ash is hard to come by. Third, you will need to treat it for long periods before you can make a bow out of it.
To avoid this, you can try bamboo. Bamboo is a very elastic material. This means that the bow you create will be very durable. But it can also be affected by heat.
Hickory wood is another good choice. Not only does it have a high rate of moisture absorption, but it can also be treated to make it more attractive. Another reason why it is good for making bows is its strong bending resistance.
European or black walnut
Many types of wood can be used to make bows. Some are easily available and others are more difficult to obtain. The quality of each type of wood will vary. It is important to choose the correct wood for your needs.
The best wood for bows is a matter of personal taste. Some prefer the lighter weight and durability of cherry wood while others prefer to use harder and more expensive hardwoods. Regardless of preference, the wood you choose must be sturdy enough to hold up under the stress of a drawn arrow.
The best bow wood will be strong enough to withstand the draw and maintain its shape. In addition, it should be easy to bend into the desired shape. Woods with a high modulus of elasticity, or MOR, are the best choice.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a very hard wood that can be used for archery. The genus Crataegus has over 1,000 species and varieties. Many of them have unique characteristics that make them excellent bow wood.
Although Hawthorn is a shrub, it produces a dense, hardwood that can be worked into a high-performance bow. When it’s seasoned, it’s very stable and tough.
During the Middle Ages, yew was a popular choice for making short, stout bows. Ash is also a well-known bow wood. This is because it’s very hard and can be treated to be more resistant to insects.
Eastern red cedar is another great choice. This wood has strong heartwood and is resistant to decay. It makes a nice flat bow and is an excellent longbow material.
