jatoba, what's best use for this wood

[kengineering]

Hi to all. I'm getting ready to put a short string on my first bow and thanks to all the members and contributers. I read something everyday that has helped me realize something i thought would never happen. I buil my own bow.                   I work in a cabinet shop and can aquuire some jatoba. How is this best used in bow making. It is certainly distinctive looking so its decorative uses are quite obvious. How about as a backing , a self bow,  belly. glueing issues?  What about grain direction? Thanks , kengineering

[Pat B]

I've never used jatoba. Many of the tropicals work well as backed bows using boo or hickory as a backing and others like ipe make good self bows.

[PV]

I have not used jatoba in a backed bow but I use it frequently in my glass laminated bows for veneer and risers. Works and glues well. It does follow it's grain more so than most other woods when you bend it. If I was going to try it in a backed bow I'd go for the straightest grain possible.

[adam]

I have never worked with this wood either but have been wanting too. According to the TBB vol.4 it has a SG of .91 which is right there with IPE. It also states that it steam bends well. So i would think it would make a heck of a bow with very little wood with the right design. I know most guys that use IPE usually start with a .5" slat or so to make a bow. So i would think Jatoba would be about the same way espically if you back with with boo or hickory.

Try a piece and let us know how it works!

Adam