Old fence post bow

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

I just pulled a few old fence post off farm. One looks like it could make a nice 60 inch selfbow. Almost sure its black locust. Anyway..its been in ground for at least 75 years. Great rings and very solid. Amazes me how good of shape it is in. Anyone make a bow out of theses old post ???

[okie64]

Saw one out of an old osage fencepost over on pa awhile back. I think the guy said the post had been in the ground for around 100 years. Black Locust is just as weather and bug resistant as osage so it should make a bow.

[razorback]

Give it a shot, what do you have to loose. And post lots of pics

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

[KellyG]

Could it be Osage, I bet it makes a good bow. Good luck.

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

KellyG maybe it is Osage. I'll start working on it soon..stay toon !

[Don Stokes]

At 75 years I'm betting Osage. It lasts longer than anything else in ground contact- even longer than chemically treated wood, according to tests going on for more than 50 years at Oregon State.

The grain of Osage and black locust are almost identical through a microscope, but black locust is not quite as durable, and more prone to fretting on the belly than Osage.

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

As You can see... the rot only goes in about two to three growth rings. Amazing !

[Pat B]

I've pulled old locust fence posts(staples have rusted completely)and found sound wood and even made a bow or two from them years back.
  Be sure to give that stave plenty of time to dry out. I'd take it to a good back ring, seal it well and put it in a good place to dry slowly. Treat it like fresh cut wood!

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Pat B ...how did the bows turn out ? Have any pics !