Elm

[D.A. Davis]

Is Elm a good wood to use in a bow?  Also, how long does the staves have to dry before they're ready to use?

[formerbutcher]

Yes Elm will make a great bow, The rule of thumb i have heard about drying wood is 1 year for every inch of thickness, Say you'r stave is 3 inches thick, 3 years to dry.  There are ways to speed the process up. JohnK

[D.A. Davis]

Thanks.  We're in the aftermath of a huge ice storm here, and my big elm in the front yard has been really damaged.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to remove it.  I just wanted to make sure it's useable before I let someone carry it off.

[John Scifres]

I have made half a dozen elm bows.  It does pretty well.  If you get your wood down to near bow dimensions, it will dry in a couple months inside.

[John Scifres]

Here's an elm I made in 13 days for the MOJam hatchet bow contest many moons ago.

  Independence

[Okie 1]

From what I've read and been told you should wait till the sap comes up to cut it and then split it into staves, then peel the bark and that is the back of your bow. Be sure you seal the back and ends with something like wax or wood glue. I am going to cut an elm, that was damaged last year in an ice storm, this spring and try it myself.

[Roy Steele]

I only built a few ELM bows maybe 9 or 10.Heres what old bowyer told me.This will work with any wood. I did this two ways.You can leave it in a corner a couple months or build a hot box which is a lot quicker.Because moisture me.I do this when I cut my staves I cut them long about 75".
  Remember 2 or 3 months in a dry corner.2 days in a hot box for elm.These staves have ends waxed,painted or what ever way you choose wax is the best.Now when you think your stave is dry enough.Take one end and cut an inch off.Then get out your meter and check your moisture.If it' still to high rewax the and put back in corner depending on the staves moisture or put it back in the hot box a day or to again depending on moisture.Take and cut off another inch.Use your meter again keep this up untill it's dry enough. Sorry I can't give times I hav'nt built an elm bow for at least 10 years. You will have to work it out yourself.
          ROY

[Roy Steele]

PS

    Elm is great bow wood.Strong,Works easy,stains well.If made right will couple thousand times.