Belly wood?

[James Wrenn]

I know osage is king when it comes to belly wood for all wood laminates.The problem is it is hard to come by around here.I would like to know what other woods that I might find localy will make a good belly wood for a 3 or 4 lam bow with bamboo or hickory backing?I prefer narrow limbs so need something that will work without real wide limbs as well.It sure will be better if I can just run down to a woodcrafters or mill to pick some up.    thanks

[John Scifres]

Bamboo or hickory would work just fine.

[Walt Francis]

Ipe is another good one.

[James Wrenn]

All of the hickory bows I have seen had very wide limbs.Would it also work on a bow with narrow limbs?I really don't want to have limbs over 1 1/4" at the widest spot and 3/8" or less at the tips.They will all be at least 66+ in length however for a 28" draw.

[EASTERNARCHER]

James...sent you a email with a word doc.listing best woods and S.G.'s.....

Good luck

[James Wrenn]

Thanks EA! I will check it out.

[Eric Krewson]

I made a 1 1/4" wide bamboo backed hickory bow. It is holding about 1 1/2" of reflex and is a really smooth, fast shooter. I made it out of the 4th bow I ever made, a extra wide boat paddle looking bow. I flattened the back, thinned the limbs and changed a dog of a bow into a great one.

[Mr. Vegas]

James, I too live in NC (Johnston co.) and with our high humidity, hickory and boo flooring are difficult to keep from sucking up moisture. I've had good luck with Ipe, no problem with narrow limbs. Not sure where in Durham you are, but Capital City Lumber in Raleigh usually has a decent supply.

[Osagetree]

I always thought Ash would make a good belly lam?

[Binabik]

I'm finishing up a Bamboo flooring bow backed with bamboo.

[James Wrenn]

I might give the ipe a try.Some of the ipe is almost like it is full of sand there is so much silicate in it.Some has a redish tint and some is very dark.Do you find one works better than the other?I had a piece with the lighter redish tint that would make sparks when sawing it.  

[PV]

I've found the dark stuff makes a better bow