Juniper Self Bow

[Jager]

I found a ton of green down Juniper. I read somewhere you can use Juniper to make a self bow out of. Has anybody did this? Has is Juniper for making a bow? Should I back it with something? Thanks

[kurtbel5]

Hi Jager
I am working on mine, its western red cedar. I think there are a few different kinds, I think its beautiful wood, I am backing mine, I am going back and forth, rawhide or sinew I am leaning towards rawhide.
       Take pictures
       Kurt

[Paul/KS]

I used some western red cedar for one of my hatchet bows for Mojam last year. It was a very good bow, while it lasted...  :(  
Backing it seems to be the secret to longevity but that was not an option for a hatchet bow entry...it did shoot fast and well though.

[Jager]

Did you guys let it dry first? How long before I can split the log and start working it down?

[Tree man]

BACK IT! It is awfully hard to get juniper long enough or wide enough to survive unbacked......but Sinewed it can be blazing fast beautiful, light in the hand and durable

[Minuteman]

Make sure you know what kinda juniper yer dealin with, western red is not a real high percentage bow wood. It makes pretty good arrows though.
 For bows ya want eastern red cedar. Otherwise known as aromatic cedar, the kind they make cedar chests from.
 Good to see ya around, Paul. Did you ever quit making strings outta that nylon art. sinew?

[Paul/KS]

Hey Chris,
Good to hear from you and yes, it WAS an eastern red cedar that I used for that short  lived but nice shooting bow...
Yup Chris, I have "graduated" to b-50 for strings last couple of years tho I still have that linen thread you gave me a couple years ago.

[b.glass]

I think that eastern red cedar backed with sinew was what Ishi shot. Seems like I read this somewhere. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.