hickory pickshafts for a bow

[mox1968]

living here in rural ireland it is a challenge to get wood suitable to build bows.there are a lot of ash trees around but finding straight enough sections for staves is a nightmare.this leaves the mail order route but very expensive as most staves come from usa and the postage is frightening.I wouldnt mind the outlay after Ive built a few and know what im doing but in the meantime Ive heard /read that using a spliced pair of hickory pickshafts can make a decent bow.Does anyone here have experience with this method?
thanks john
great site guys.

[Pat B]

I have never done it but yes you can make bows with pick and ax handles. Pick through the selection well for the best grain.

[2treks]

Primitive Archer,Vol 3, Issue 3.
   Has a how to. Good luck and send some pics.(no pun intended)
CHUCK

[2treks]

it looks like that issue is still available.
Chuck

[mox1968]

I have the four volumes great info in them,will post pics when I get started on it.broke my number 2 bow attempt today,was going well had it pulling to about 26" no problem when ....SNAP!!!never mind back to the drawing board I suppose.that was an ash stave I had cut down a few months ago,I think the problem was the straightest section I had cut was only 62" nock to nock Im thinking it was too short to take a 28" draw.Its all a learning curve but I was dissapointed was looking really good before it went.