"sassafras" as a bow wood?

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Has anyone made a selfbow out of sassafras ? What bow design  ???? how long should you dry it for ? Any tips would be great on this wood...makes great "tea"  Thanks , Jeff

[walkabout]

ive heard it makes a nice ELB. as far as other bow styles i dont know from experience, but ive read that tim baker suggests a slightly rounded belly for it, probably looking at a limb width similar to hickory at around 2" at the widest. sapwood on the back is supposed to be better in tension than heartwood too.

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

I bet it would be real light bow to carry !

[RecurveJim]

in the book"the witchery of archery"it says that sassafras is a good wood that was used by early european settlers to make english longbows,along with mulberry,if thats any help...

[jonathan creason]

There was an article in one of the most recent PA's on a sassafras bow.  I'll see if I can dig it up.

[Diamondback59]

i like to taqke a stave  out around x mas  work in the basment sure makes the house smell nice  use all the sap you can the ones iv made are 74 -80 in  works real well youll like it  brock

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Diamondback59 What poundage did you get out of it ?? Did you just peel bark and use it that way as back? How long should I dry it if I cut and debark it now?

[Diamondback59]

i make sure it s dry use a moisture meter check it if  possible  i just peel bark  thats my back right there  the big one is  84   and the smaller one  73 # sassfras does make a very nice bow  iv even heat treated a couple i make  and it seems faster than normal  youll like the wood  brock.... ps if u cut em now debark seal back and ends with poly  stick em in the car w windows up  will help speed up  drying time  hah

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

What are the bows lenth and draw ?

[walkabout]

sassafrass is said to perform as well or better than bows of heavier wood due to its light weight. granted it would also have to be well built.

[horseapple]

Come on Brock, get rid of the X-mas its CHRISTMAS...  I've built a few sass bows, it works and feels alot like mulberry but seems just a tad lighter, yes you need to make the bow wider and longer, the problem with most of the sass trees is they grow in groves like persimmon trees and finding one not twisted is a challenge, barks hard to read. It was awhile back when i was trying other woods, had the Tim Baker flu, got over that thank goodness    Osage is still King in my eyes  

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

...horseapple .... OSAGE is "KING" We both know that... But even though I love "steak ..I want a hotdog every now and then" ... lol !

[Diamondback59]

horse apple ya i know everydays christmas makin bows haha  ok  i made that bigger bow 82 long if i rember correctly and the smaller one 80  i have a old yew  st charles bow  i made my demisins the same as  on my yew long bow  but  a bit wider   i love the osage too guys but yews  king in my book  i love the stuff brock

[Diamondback59]

hey jd  been a while  how are ya ? brock

[horseapple]

Doin fine Brock, missed mojam, how you been? Sure liked picking at you and them 2 boys     Had back surgery 2 weeks ago today, drove for the first time this morn, I still havent made a bow out of the yew stave I got from you but when I do I will send you picks.

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

..I'd love to get a piece of  .."YEW" to try

[Diamondback59]

JD SURE SORRY TO HEAR THAT WE RELLEY MISSED YA THIS YEAr had a blast  im buldin a 120 war bow now for mojam next yearof corse it yew lol i will plan to be at ojam and bring in a load of yew for you guys to go over  hope to see ya there  brock

[George Tsoukalas]

I think it smells like root beer. Made one. It shot ok. I made it wide and a little longer that I usually do.  Jawge

[horseapple]

Brock, your a big enough boy to make and shoot one of them war bows, myself, I'll stick with the girly 58# bows    Looking forward to visiting with you at Ojam.