Limb Core for New Bow

[Gator1]

Ordering a Kohannah Kurve: Would welcome some feedback, pros and cons on Limb Choice.

I have narrowed it down to Bamboo or Red Elm.
On the Limbs, and Cocobolo for the riser..

I'm a total novice when it comes to choosing a Limb Core Material, this is my first "Custom Order for a bow" ever.

Any tips would be apprecaite.

[vermonster13]

Bamboo will give you 4-5 more FPS so you get more bang for your buck though the total mass of the bow will be slightly lighter.

[oldtimerbow]

Both woods are good choices for limb cores. I might lean a little more toward elm for the pretty wood gain if having clear glass put on.

[B.O.D.]

I have 2 longbows from the same bowyer,one is maple cored with osage lams; the other is red elm and walnut limbs.
The osage and maple throws the arrows with much more authority IMO.
the point? speed  and light mass is not always better for hunting bows.
BD

[Golden Hawk]

Personally I like actionboo as a core with a veneer over top. I have two T/D recurves at the same weight one with boo cores and one with maple cores,both have veneers. They both shoot well but I find the maple cored limbs are better at handling heavy hunting weight arrows (11 grains per pound +). Just my .02

[mighty mouse]

on a curve i'd go w/ red elm. bamboo is supposed to be better w/ longbows but on curves i think it can be a problem.

[Van/TX]

When in doubt maple....Van

[James Wrenn]

Maple is always good.  

[Pete W]

The bowyer building the bow will have the best knowledge of what is best in his bows. Take his advice.

[bentpole]

hey mitch let bob do tempered bamboo limb core with bacote or quilted or curly maple veeners!!awesome only 60 peso's more and worth every penny!

[Mike Burch]

Since you're going with a curve, i'd save some money and get the action wood or maple core. I've never had any performance difference between maple, action wood, or bamboo when it came to recurves. Some may seem to have a smoother pull with bamboo, but not enough to make that much difference, IMO.

If you were getting a longbow, then I would definitly get bamboo.

Now, some bowyers, like Mark Horne, can make bamboo look really good, IMO, under clear glass. Has a sort of a light honey stain look with the grains showing. Some bamboo limbs are just plain and needs some kind of veneer over it, for cosmetic purpose. LOL!

[owlbait]

Bamboo core, red elm veneers under clear glass. Got it all covered.

[Ghost Dog]

Yes, with a recurve a wood core will produce a great performing limb. Bamboo, natural or plyboo, will not add to the performance in any meaningful way.