Catawba Wood ( AKA: Catalpa ) New question.

[Blue EagleBum]

Was talking to KennyM last night, and I mentioned my next riser wood, would be Catawba.
He was not familiar with it and asked me to show everyone some photos. So here they are, also a link to wiki-pedia for Catawba.

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalpa  

   

   

   

   

   

[rainman]

It's a great wood for carving.  If I were going to use in a riser make sure you reinforce it with fiberglass or a Hardwood.  Catalpa is pretty light weight wood for a riser.

[kennym]

Ahhh yes!

It is light and I did a search once to see if it would make limb wood. I decided not to try it because if I remember, it said it was not to structurally strong.  

I would def reinforce it!

Beautiful piece !

[Blue EagleBum]

I intend to use it with other wood and phenolic. Just not sure about the other wood yet. I want something that is preetty contrasting. Maybe Osage or walnut. Or something deep red or purpleheart. some of the rings have a purpleish color.

What does anyone else suggest for a contrasting hardwood to go with the Catawba?

[kennym]

That pc would make a good wallhanging, I could look at it all day I think!  

[hova]

that would make some holy veneers!!!


just couldnt resist...

[7 Lakes]

Now where are you going to get your Catalpa worms.

[Blue EagleBum]

Plenty more around here.

[Blue EagleBum]

To those pros on here. What do you think of the grain structure and this woods use as a riser for a TD Recurve.

I understand that it should be reinforced. I was thinking of laminating the riser. from left to right. A kinda thick veneer of catawba, phenolic, a hardwood, phenolic, and another piece of catawba. Or would it be better to run the pattern from back to belly?

Any help is appreciated.