Ipe flooring for bows...

[OkKeith]

In looking through a few recent posts I have seen mention of sourcing Ipe locally. I see at my nearby Lumber Liquidators that they at one time carried 5/4 X 6 Ipe decking (actual dimensions 1 X 5-1/2) but it has been discontinued. Where are ya'll finding this material?

Looks like it's falling out of favor because it is hard to sustainably harvest. What are some alternatives? I see a lot on Black Locust online as a replacement in the flooring biz but can't find a source. How is it for bows?

I don't have access to much Osage in any size. There is a saw mill in eastern Oklahoma that sells Osage, Ash and Hickory bow blanks (I think they are 5/4X3/4X72). He is about three hours away. Last time I bought one they were $40 and he let me pick through the pile. He doesn't do mail order though and only takes cash. It's one of those places you have to call ahead and make sure he isn't hunting or fishing and will be there. He sells a lot of material to call makers and folks that build instruments.

Just wondering about your sources for these bow woods.

Thanks!

OkKeith

[Mad Max]

If you can't get ipe then you need to go to osage

Again....3rivers  archery

[Mad Max]

There use to be some sponsor's on here to get Bamboo and Ipe bow kit's
The grain needs to be Straight,Vertical, and no run off, on Hickory,Osage and Ipe, for backs and belly's.

 

[Texoma]

In looking through a few recent posts I have seen mention of sourcing Ipe locally. I see at my nearby Lumber Liquidators that they at one time carried 5/4 X 6 Ipe decking (actual dimensions 1 X 5-1/2) but it has been discontinued. Where are ya'll finding this material?

Looks like it's falling out of favor because it is hard to sustainably harvest. What are some alternatives? I see a lot on Black Locust online as a replacement in the flooring biz but can't find a source. How is it for bows?

I don't have access to much Osage in any size. There is a saw mill in eastern Oklahoma that sells Osage, Ash and Hickory bow blanks (I think they are 5/4X3/4X72). He is about three hours away. Last time I bought one they were $40 and he let me pick through the pile. He doesn't do mail order though and only takes cash. It's one of those places you have to call ahead and make sure he isn't hunting or fishing and will be there. He sells a lot of material to call makers and folks that build instruments.

Just wondering about your sources for these bow woods.

Thanks!

OkKeith

Can I get the name of that sawmill please?

thanks

[Pat B]

Ipe flooring or decking works fine. Just be sure to get good pieces to work with.
 With ipe or osage 1 1/2" is about max width you'll want to use and 1 1/4" to 1 3/8" are better so on a 5/4 board use the edge of the board for the bow. 5/4 hickory quarter sawn or bias grain will make nice backing strips if cut from the edge.

[BMorv]

There's a lot of places still selling ipe.  Most exotic hardwood stores will sell it as it's used for decks all over the US as stated. 
You need to sort through the pile to be able to find a board suitable for bow making.  You can't just order a few boards from a decking company and hope to get lucky.  That's a good way to waste money...I should know  . 
At the exotic hardwood store an hour from me I am able to sort through their pile.  Last time I went I sorted through a fresh stack of 100 boards and there was only one board suitable for bow making. 
I've seen a few people selling ipe boards for bow making on various resell sites.  You'll pay a premium for the board but you have to figure they have done the sorting for you.  Or at least you hope they did.

[monterey]

Kenny had some ipe.  Give him a holler.

[OkKeith]

I think there is better wood available, especially from Kenny ... I was just thinking if I could get it here in town (read... I'm lazy and cheap) I might take advantage of it.

OkKeith

[Flem]

Have not made a bow from Ipe, but it's beautiful wood. Ditto on finding the right boards. I pre-finished a massive Ipe deck some years ago and had the cursed opportunity to handle every board. I would say that less than 20% of them would have made more than one bow.

[OkKeith]

I read/ hear the sawdust is nasty stuff as well. I have a hard enough time with Osage dust.

OkKeith