Well, I guess Im taking the plunge

[JustinNC]

Thanks to fellow member/brother n law Jonathan Creason, Im taking the plunge into traditional archery. Being one to like to make stuff if I don't have to buy it, had me looking for bow wood. Well after speaking to Jonathan about local bow woods, I was on the prowl for some wood. Well it didn't take long after riding into an area that got hit by a tornado last week to find a descent black locust with a 16-18"DBH and no branches for about 6'. Trunk appears straight, apparent knots. Located the fellow that owned the land the tree was on and told him I would remove the whole thing in exchange for the tree. So I hope to end up with plenty for staves and probably a little bit of firewood as well.

Hopefully by the time it's dry I'll have learned enough to get an idea of where to start.

Also may have a lead on some freshly fallen persimmon. Going to make a call or two about it this evening. It's just laying along the side of the road, also victim of the same storm that brought the tornados to our area. Hopefully I can get it  and eventually incorporate it into a riser when I learn enough about this to tackle a nicer bow.

In the mean time looks like it'll be red oak boards and lots and lots of reading and question asking!

[DVSHUNTER]

welcome aboard! No pun intended. Just be careful it's addictive.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Welcome to the bench! Lots of good advice and instruction here. These guys are what got me started.

[razorsharptokill]

Welcome! You'll learn a lot and have a blast here.

[JustinNC]

Well got a hold of the man with the persimmon trees, told me I could come get them and if we wanted to we could go around and look for another one, he thought he had a big one behind the house. Laughed and told him that was OK, I was only interested in what the storm blew over and we didn't have to go cutting down his perfectly good trees.