bow material

[ToddT]

Is there an agreed upon, ideal or perfect material for making a bow. Also, does wood that is green that is to be used for bow making have to be dry kilned? If so, is there an easy way, rather a home method, to do this?

[KILLER B]

It depends on what kind of bow you are talking about ie. self, recurve, laminate, Most people would say that osage is the superior bow wood but there are many different kinds out there that will make fine bows.  also some people say that kiln dryed wood is no good for bow making others will say it's fine. I personaly havn't had any trouble with kiln dryed wood but that question is a whole different can of worms to askiing around here.  But as far as an easier way to dry wood you can keep it in a closed up car and keep checking it with a moisture meeter untill it's where you want it or make a hot box out of plywood and some lights for heat.  I think there are instructions here somewhere on how to make one they are pretty simple and not that expensive to make.   Any way I hope I answered some of your questions I have rambled on long enough.

[NorthShoreLB]

Perfect material for a wooden bow ??                  

[ToddT]

Well, when I say best material, I guess I mean, most durable, and possibly easy to work with if these two can fit together.

[John Scifres]

I can recommend two books for good reasoning behind bow wood choice:

- "Hunting the Osage Bow" by Dean Torges
- "The Traditional Bowyer's Bible - Vol I"

I prefer osage but it is available to me.  Many other woods make great bows.  Yew and hickory are my second and third choices.  Each choice has a tradeoff somewhere.

You can cut and season your own wood.

[Pat B]

You can make a bow out of almost any wood if you use the correct design for that particular wood. John's recommendations for books is right on!...and as he said you can cut and season your own wood. If you don't have a hot box or a car to use as a kiln put it in your attic or wait a few years and it will cure on it's own. Pat