wood costs.

[Buemaker]

If I could get a bdft of Kingwood for the equalent of 40 dollars I would jump with joy. Bue--.

[wood carver 2]

Ben, the reason they ask such stupid prices is because there's always some dumb ass who has more money than brains. I wish I knew a few of them. I'd quit my "real job" and do nothing but woodwork and carving.
Bue, part of your problem is that you're so far away from the equator. What else will grow so far north besides oak, beech and birch?      
Dave.

[Buemaker]

Ooops, I forgot about that Canadian grown Kingwood. Bue--.    

[LittleBen]

Dave, I think you forgot the conifers lol.

Isn't that why everything from IKEA is made from beech or birch?

You wanna talk about limited diversity of wood? When I was growing up down on Long Island, way out in the pine barrens area, practically all we had natively was "scrub oak", "scrub pine" and black locust (depending where you were) and all of em would be short, stunted, scrawny and gnarly.

I remember I saw a small american holly growing out in the woods once and literally had to do a double take ... fist one I think I'd ever seen out there that wasn't landscaping.

[wood carver 2]

How'd you know about my secret exotic wood plantation!?      
I didn't mention the conifers because they're not used for bows. However, I still have a few boards of red deal that I brought back from Europe 12 years ago and I've been thinking that I'd like to use some as veneers when I eventually build a glass bow or two. It's a pretty wood that takes on a gold and reddish gold hue when varnished.
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

There is a holly tree growing in our hollow too, no idea how it got there. Bugger stays green all year long. It's about 8 feet tall and 6 feet across.

[cunruhshoot]

I have only one local source for bow wood / exotic wood. I have a piece of Cocobolo set aside for me to get next week 2" thick 6" wide by 48". - $140.00 - I think that is a good deal for these parts and next week it will be mine!    :D

[Troy D. Breeding]

Cam,

That is a heck of a good price for Cocobolo. The last time I looked at any the piece was barely 2"-4" and maybe 36" long for well over $200.00

[LittleBen]

4bdft for $140 is $35/ bdft .... A pretty serious deal. Plus expect cocobolo prices to keep rising .... Forever.

[Overspined]

I've given up on cocobolo. A lot of the exotics are getting outrageous and scarce.  Maybe I'd spring for a few riser blocks now and then..