Black Walnut Selfbow?

[PapaB]

I have a lot of Black Walnut and was wanting to make a longbow from it.  Can I make a solid selfbow out of Black Walnut.  If not can I use it for backing white oak or red oak?  What kind of dimensions should I look for (I am aiming for 55#'s @ 26").

Thanks

[John Scifres]

A selfbow will work.  Make it 68" NTN, 2" wide at the fades for 1/3 of the limb, tapering to 1/2" nocks.

[formerbutcher]

I just made one from some BW i got this summer. I used the sap wood on this one. It turned out to be 45# @ 28" nice little shooter.

I would start out at 2" fades for most of the length then taper to 1/2" nocks to start with. 68" long would be a good start.

Good luck !

[formerbutcher]

Looks like John and i where typing at the same time. See if this picture works. This is the log i got this summer.

 

[Pat B]

I've made a few BW bows using the sapwood right under the bark. Use John's dimensions.

[PapaB]

Thank you for the great replies so far.

[John Scifres]

I assumed stave but if you are using boards, make sure and choose them well.

  Board Bow iNstructions

[carver]

better off to use white oak to back walnut, rather than the other way around.  1/8" to 3/16" quarter sawn backing strip.

[ChristopherO]

I learnt that if you under build BW it will chrysal heavily.  But they are beautiful bows.

[PapaB]

I will be getting the Black Walnut from a stave.

[Chris Shelton]

Can I see pics of some of your bows?  I too have a-LOT of black walnut treetops down around my place because the landowner harvested the wood, so I have alot of pickens!!!