2019 Bow Swap Thread

[TradBowyer]

Bigfoot DOES exist!!!!!!!

[wood carver 2]

Flem, what’s the red one on the left?
Dave.

[Fishinglink]

Flem I vote for the left riser.

Tradbowyer I vote ash or Osage.


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[Flem]

Kind of embarrassed, but I'm not sure what that left riser is. It was in a big bin of scraps I unearthed this winter. I'm thinking it might be Cocobolo? Its really dense, like its owner.

[Roy from Pa]

Purple heart maybe?

[TradBowyer]

Flem, I bet that is cocobolo. made a lot of risers out of it. one of my favorites

[BMorv]

I vote for the osage.  Osage was brought on this earth to be made into self bows 

Looks like Cocobolo to me too Flem.  But it probably isn't considering your track record on guessing wood species 

[Flem]

I'm going to take advantage of the brain trust here. I'd love to know what it is. No more guessing for me
Here are some more pics.

Whatever it is, it's really beautiful wood.

[TradBowyer]

without a doubt cocobolo and some nice stuff to boot

[Bvas]

Here’s my non definitive vote
Never had or even shot a self bow. Osage seems to be the wood of choice, but I’d be interested in seeing how hickory and ash is handled.

[BMorv]

Cocobolo has a distinct smell when worked.  Like cinnamon

[monterey]

Egads! Hope your lungs ain't yellow . Did you build that edge sander? Looks nice.

I'm going on round two. Actually have real Walnut this time around. Did learn that Butternut will make a good kids Bow

Going to have to decide on a riser

Still need to layup some glass. Hopefully tomorrow. Need to get this thing done.

That one on the right

[canopyboy]

Flem, I vote for the cocobolo. I love that stuff. But with the dark lams, the one on the right would be my second choice for contrast.

Tim, I’ve shot some fast and fine hickory bows. Also played with ash that shot very smooth but it always took some set for me. But as was said before, it’ll be tough to top that Osage stave IMO. And being in an Osage desert, receiving one would be an extra special bonus. Oh wait, guess it’s not for me...

[Crooked Stic]

Love Coco to. but it breaks me out   

[Buemaker]

Living in a country where we have plenty of Ash, Hickory can be had, but Osage have to be imported I vote for Osage. Osage make such nice bows with character.

[Flem]

I was refreshing my memory on working with Cocobolo. Notorious for being difficult to glue, apparently.
Any recommendations or warnings?
As hard as this stuff is, I was surprised how easily my under-powered Bandsaw with a worn 1/4" blade sliced through it.

[TradBowyer]

Flem...not difficult to glue...don't use acetone on it...just sand it good before hand and you'll be good to go. I don't know what finish you are planning on using but if you are using any kind of over the counter spray or wipe on stuff, you'll have to seal it with a good sealer or the stuff will not dry even in a drying box. For a cheap sealer that works absolutely fine, use thin superglue. slather on a coat, let it dry then sand it down. Keep doing this until the pores are filled (usually 3 coats does it..sometimes 4). Then, you can use any finish you want and you won't have any issues.

[TradBowyer]

here is one I did using the superglue sealer.

[BMorv]

here is one I did using the superglue sealer.

Ok Tim, now I change my vote to you doing something with cocobolo.

[Flem]

Wow! Thats beautiful work there. Looks like a piece of fine furniture.
The other thing I rediscovered about Cocobolo, it's very expensive! That looks like about $100. worth of the stuff

I use conversion varnish for finish. Usually seal with dewaxed shellac or vinyl sealer.
Do you thin the superglue or is there a low viscosity type?