black walnut selfbow or maple backed

[timbermoose]

hey brothers, a bud and i found some fairly nice nice grain black walnut boards and the hardwoods store. and some straight maple. anyone make a walnut selfbow? or a maple backed b walnut longbow? what are your thoughts on them? advice?

my bud thought about cutting the walnut 1.5x1/4 and the maple a back of 1/8" and a 5/8" belly and glueing up a r/d trilam. would that work roy?

[Echatham]

a friend of mine made one, a selfbow, swore it was the best shooting bow he ever made until it blew up after less than a thousand shots. it was about 2" wide limbs, probably roughly 66" long. ive held the pieces, and it was definitely lighter weight than it should have been if you follow the mass principle.  i would think it could be done if long and wide enough.    might be good with a backing if you toasted the belly... maybe.  im not real familiar with the properties so im just guessing.

[John Scifres]

Search the Bowyer's Bench for "black walnut".  You'll find some good info.

[Jack Skinner]

I just finished a walnut backed with hickory and so far it is shooting very well. I am watching it close because I am seeing what may be some micro frets on one limb. Others suggest the maple backing is better than the hickory. Time will tell for me.

[bubby]

maple backed walnut will make a good bow, I've built a few in a pyramid style 1 3/4" wide @ fades 68"ttt came out nice, also backed one with white birch that worked good

[Roy from Pa]

It will work but I would make the belly 3/8th.