Does the core wood make any differanc on a laminated bow?

[jeffg]

I have a Northern Mist Sheldon on order and was wondering if the core wood make any difference in the bow other than looks? some pictures of wood combos would be a big help in my decision.

[ron w]

I think it can make a difference. I'm a fan of Bamboo but some like maple or elm. I know Mike Treadway really likes Sassafras. You should should ask Steve T. since he is going to build your bow.

[DennyK]

The performance of a laminated bow is in the design of the bow first and the core woods second. For instance My bamboo cored - Black Widow PSAX limbs on my Kingwood bows are at best only a couple feet per second faster then the standard birch or maple PSA limbs.

[Crash]

I agree with Ron, if you don't have a preference, then speak with your bowyer.  He knows his bows better than anyone.

[WESTBROOK]

It can make a difference, slight, mostly in how a bow feels as opposed to performance.

I've had/have several of Steve's bows in both Elm and Bamboo. I prefer Elm limbs.

Elm, Boo, Yew all make a good longbow limb. Osage & Hickory get kind of heavy.

Eric

[Orion]

I agree that design is most important, but the type and amount of interior laminations also make a difference.  The more core and the less glass or carbon used, the more the core has an effect.  And the heavier the core, the more it reduces performance.  That's why I like bamboo over osage cores, for example.  We're not talking big differences here, but they are noticeable, IMO.

[Looper]

A few years ago, KennyM made up a bunch of bows with the only difference being the cores. If I recall, walnut cores were the most efficient.

[eflanders]

One factor that hasn't been mentioned is if the bow will be glassed.  If so, the core material will not make much difference.  If not, it makes a significant difference in my experience.

[Gen273]

I think the core makes a difference in how the bow feels. I prefer bamboo cores over everything else that I have tried.

[jeffg]

Yes the bow will be glassed. I understand glass color makes a difference. Black giving the best performance.

[Irish Archer]

I had no idea that glass color would make a difference?

[Horserod]

I'm going to say that is wrong as in tournament shooting we always had light colored glass for long term limb performance.  As I remember black glass soaked up the sun's heat and caused slower limb speed.  Of course that was back in the 70's when I was shooting in the NAA Nationals and try outs for the Olympics........Horserod

[Hud]

Less is better, according to some bowyers that are using carbon and foam instead of wood. Some woods like Red Elm are more consistent than others. There have been a number of books on the subject.

[Piratkey]

Depend lot of thinks... bow geometry,bow lenght,draw lenght........
but usualy under 28 " draw lenght,good quality maple core is perfect,over 29" bambou core is a little bit better (feel smoother) .but it's allways better to ask with the bower

[vermonster13]

Yes black glass is a little bit faster.