Mahogany as a bow wood

[Dan Landis]

Hello All  Has anyone ever tried mahogany as a bow wood?  I have a pc of mahogany flooring, 3/4" thick, would it be ok for a board bow?  The end grain is almost completely flat, and side seems to be straight also.

[Pat B]

I have a primitively made cross bow, probably from the Philippians, that is mahogany...lock, stock and prod.  
   I'm sure a bow could be made from mahogany but you will have to figure out what the best design for the woods tension and compression characteristics.    Pat

[Dan Landis]

Thanks Pat!!!  This will be my first attempt at bow building, looking forward to getting started.  If anyone has any suggestions as a starting point, length, witdth, shape, etc, please let me know.

[Pat B]

If this is going to be your first bow, I would suggest that you start with a wood that would give you a chance at a successful bow like hickory, hard maple, ash or red oak. Most of these should be available from local hardware and lumber stores. PA has a good selection of good bow woods so you should be able to find one of these woods to work with. Pat

[Dan Landis]

Pat, I had about 200 bd ft of red oak sawed last Sept. If I can find any with flat grain, do you think this will be dry enough by now?  It is sawed to 1" thick.  I have found several hickories in my area that should make several staves, planned to cut them in the spring though.  Also have my eye on a few hackberry and mulberry.

[Pat B]

The red oak should pretty well dry by now and as you get it closer to bow dimensions it will dry more if needed. You don't have to use flat grained wood. Bias cut works well. Which ever you use be sure you don't have any abrupt run offs on the back and the sides. If you do, you can back the bow and be safe with it. Hickory, maple or elm backings or a simple silk, linen of brown paper backing will also help.
   I would wait for the hickory and hackberry until next spring after the leaves come out so you can peel the bark and use whats under for your back. The mulberry can be cut now because you will have to remove the bark and sapwood to get to a good heartwood ring for your bows back.    Pat

[Dan Landis]

Thanks for all your help, can't wait to get started.  I'll try to post some pics as i go along