Sassafras stave one or two bows?

[coaster500]

I've been off work for a week so I've been playing at bow building. I have a Hackberry that is rehydrating so I decided to chew on a Sassafras stave today. Man talk about instant gratification!!! This stuff slices like butter. I am almost finished with a 71" ELB but have enough wood left for a second bow but it's all heart. The Elb is about 50@27 and seem plenty strong (I shot about 30 arrows thru it today)? I've heard that Sassafras needs to be backed but it feels ok? Can I make another bow with just the heartwood left?

 
 
 

[PEARL DRUMS]

If the first one came that easy, I say try it and let us know. Worse case you spend a few hours building a bow thats going to break. We have ALL done that a few times. I dont even know if Sassafras grows up here?

[KHALVERSON]

pd
plenty of sassafras here in mi
just hard to find any for a decent stave

[Living_waters]

If you find some be sure to save the roots and make some root beer, had some at a rendezvous not to long ago,will make you throw rocks at store bought.
    5 quarts water
    1/4 ounce hops
    1/2 ounce dried burdock root
    1/2 ounce dried yellow dock root
    1/2 ounce dried sarsaparilla root
    1/2 ounce dried sassafras root
    1/2 ounce dried spikenard root
    1 1 /2 cups sugar
    1/8 tsp granulated yeast

Simmer herbs for 30 minutes. Add sugar, stir to dissolve. Cool to lukewarm, add yeast and stir well. Cover and let sit for 1 hour. Bottle as above.

[coaster500]

Sounds great Jeff but I live on the west coast I'd have to dig a ways to collect all those roots  

Well the rest of that stave will stay in the shop just in case I start pushing to fast on another build....  got to get a grip on my impatience  :(

[Living_waters]

I have made two sets of bows one hunting weight and a lighter weight from the belly split. For husbands and wives, good way to introduce the wives to trad shooting.
 I have a sassafras bow setting in my unfinished pile that cracked across the back. Since then I have backed it with linen and wrapped the fracture. It cracked after I heated some reflex in the tips. You are right it was super easy to work. I think my heating had something to do with it breaking on its back.

[coaster500]

Jeff, I'm curious how did you use the sassafras. What are the specs?

[Living_waters]

Pyramid style 2" at fades to 3/8" tips 8" non working handle 66"NTN, the fracture was not in the heavy stressed area of the limb which makes me think it was the heating to bend the tips.

[coaster500]

What was the draw weight of that bow Jeff?