Author Topic: Bow woods from Africa  (Read 484 times)

Offline Stiks-n-Strings

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Bow woods from Africa
« on: March 06, 2012, 09:31:00 PM »
Anybody know what good bow woods grow in Africa? My Dad is going in a few months and asked me if I wanted him to bring me back some wood to build a bow.
Striker stinger 58" 55# @ 28
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Offline Robertfishes

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2012, 09:41:00 PM »
bubinga, zebrawood, shedua, Limba, Etimoe, Gaboon ebony,wenge, sapele, paduak, makore...you may have to find the African names

Offline fujimo

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2012, 10:05:00 PM »
where in africa.
i am originally from S.A.
white stinkwood- good staves, guava( not indigenous)there is mango, litchi, avocado- all imported and should be good?
awesome red ivory, wild olive, tambotie- all indigenous woods- with beautiful colour and grain patterns- great for risers or lams.
all the acacias are as tough as nails- i would try acacia tortillus, or acacia karoo- acacia nialotica(sp?)
another one that should be good, and is one of my favourite african trees, because of all its uses and the historical and cultural attachments to it. the buffalo thorn-(ziziphus mucronata)
Quote"Wood from this tree is used for timber, wagon making and fence posts as it yields a yellow, fine-grained, heavy wood which contains 12.2-15.7% tanning matter (Watt & Brandwijk 1962). The elasticity of the shoots makes it suitable for bows and whip sticks. Some African tribes use the thorny branches to make kraals or hedges. This protects their livestock from lions and other predators."
he would have to cut these himself- i dought any of these are available commercially.
i will think a little more.

Online wood carver 2

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2012, 10:45:00 PM »
Looks like you're going to need a big box Stiks!  :D  
Dave.
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Offline strungstick

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2012, 12:42:00 AM »
Dimensional lumber you may not have an issue with but I bet you'll find that bringing in anything with bark on it or that is not kiln dried is more of a headache then what it is worth.  I'm not familiar with many of the import rules but I know they get pretty involved when you bring in anything plant related that can harbor bugs.  I've tinkered around with making a few briar pipes and I hear those folks on their forums talk about import issues with European Briar with bark on it.

Offline burnt

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2012, 03:34:00 PM »
Let me go kris I'll pick out a real nice stave for him.
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Offline Stiks-n-Strings

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2012, 04:54:00 PM »
I bet you would Brent pick a good one Brent. I'll have to check into some of the import stuff. Thanks for the info Fujimo. From the sounds of it I think I would like to get a good piece of that Buffalo Thorn.
Striker stinger 58" 55# @ 28
any wood bow I pick off the rack.
 2 Cor. 10:4
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Offline gringol

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2012, 04:58:00 PM »
I'd imagine you will have trouble with customs coming back to the states.  Especially with any African stamps on your passport.  Of course, if you've ever been a guest at one of Uncle Sam's all-inclusive resorts, you may have the experience to be able to keester a couple billets back into the country.   :scared:

Offline Goose Gossett

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2012, 05:37:00 PM »

 
 

Here's an example of a Masai tribe bow.  Got this from Tanzania. Not sure what it is made out of but they draw it 18-20" @ about 30 pounds and with around 2" brace height.
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow, and concealed me in his quiver. Isaiah 49:2

Offline Stiks-n-Strings

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2012, 05:45:00 PM »
Pops is going to Zimbabwe to the southern low veld. He told me could have a stick or two shipped back with his taxidermy. We'll see if it works out.
Striker stinger 58" 55# @ 28
any wood bow I pick off the rack.
 2 Cor. 10:4
 TGMM Family of The Bow
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Proud Member of the Twister Twelve

Offline fujimo

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Re: Bow woods from Africa
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2012, 08:21:00 PM »
its summer there now, you could get the bark off, and seal it all up. i would certianally look at the buffalo thorn and the white stinkwood.
bring them back as billets- might make it easier- and they will find buffalo thorn in the low veldt.
my contacts are all a little further south.
i wouyld say get the bark off and get the taxidermist to fumigate it, and to supply a fumigation certificate.
i brought a bunch of different horns back with me last time for bow building projects- i got a fumigation certificate- and just brought all the horns through in my hold baggage.
keep us posted.

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