Is persimmon a good bow wood?

[Jeff D. Holchin]

My neighbor just cut down a nice straight 12-15 inch diameter persimmon tree (no I can't imagine why).  Is the wood worth cutting into stave length, splitting and drying?  I am no bowyer but want to do that someday soon.

[McDave]

They used to make heads for golf clubs out of persimmon (woodies) because it is so dense.  I've never heard of anyone making bow limbs out of it, but I'll bet it would make a beautiful and durable riser.

[nineworlds9]

It can make a beautiful riser for sure.

[Dan Landis]

Yes several folks on the Bowyer's Bench have made successful self bows from persimmon.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I've made one 60# ELB out of it and it worked well. I heard it's bad about taking more set than expected for its density and dimensions. So I left it extra long at 75" for a 27" draw. Smooth as butter and still spots an arrow pretty decent. I have an 83" EWB in the works to see what it can take as far as draw weight. My goal is for it to pull about 150# at a 32" draw. It's still got a was to go to get down to weight though. It's still probably having around 180-200# at 32".  Letting set determine how much weight this design will handle

Kyle

[JamesV]

Persimmon has a very unique grain pattern and makes a beautiful riser. Looks great for accents with walnut. I have also used persimmon lams in several glass bows with good results.

[Sam McMichael]

I have a Kolomi bow made by Lynn Harrelson. It has a persimmon core with bamboo back and belly. It is an all wood laminated bow that meets the requirements of primitive class for 3D, and is very, very quiet in the hunting woods. I like it a lot.

[Jason Ksepka]

I just cut a very large, and nicely straight female persimmon at my job yesterday. I have multiple 8' lengths of which I hope to get a number of staves. I have very few finished bows under my belt, but I am excited about this opportunity. I expect to get enough staves to experiment a bit and I hope to be able to make flat bows, round in the belly bows both short and long. I hope that this experiment goes well, and that I learn a lot. For sure this will take a long time. But you gotta get your materials when they are available. If/when things turn out, including failures, I'll do what I can to make an understandable post, with pics.

[kevsuperg]

Just about any wood will make a self bow.
 You just need to do research and design it correctly.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Yes it is good self bow wood.

[ChuckC]

I would go for it.  Unique opportunity.  If you decide not to use it, I'm pretty certain someone here will enjoy it.

[Pat B]

I just got a beautiful, straight(hard to believe) 68"x4" persimmon stave and I'm looking forward to making at least one selfbow.
 Persimmon has a lot of silica in it so it wears on your power tool blades.

[Jason Ksepka]

Thank You all so much for your input. I have the bark ripped off and the staves are now seasoning. Some have taken a nice reflex in them, so I am really looking forward to seeing what they are willing to let me do.

[KentuckyTJ]

Made this one for Andrew Kinslow from persimmon and walnut from his farm.

[Charlie Lamb]

Tom... Andrew is an old hunting buddy of mine. That bow is even more stunning in person. 

[KentuckyTJ]

Tom... Andrew is an old hunting buddy of mine. That bow is even more stunning in person. 

Oh great Charlie, he seems like a great guy!