mahogany condrum

[Jackpine Boyz]

Hi, looking for some thoughts for a predicament I'm in with a friend of mine.
He came across some really nice South American mahogany at work.  He was excited to bring it to me because he felt it would make a beautiful bow.  I understand that mahogany is not the best for bows and have avoided it in the past, but he was so happy that I couldn't turn it down.
I have 1.5"x 72" strips measuring 1/8 " and 1/4" thick  as well as a short 8 " by 3/4 " piece he thought would be a good handle.
I figured I could use this for some tip overlays and accents, but wanted to get thoughts about sandwiching it between to better bow woods.  I have always wanted to do a wood trilam, and am not opposed to a failed experiment if I'm learning something.  But from what I've heard I may be totally wasting my time.  I thought perhaps hickory back with a maple or IPE belly and sandwich the mahogany between them through the handle and taper out just past the fades so it isn't under much stress. If the consensus is that this is futile, I will still put it to good use.  But as happy as my friend was to bring it to me, I wouldn't mind a challenge.

[Roy from Pa]

I would never trust it anywhere in a bow.

[Flem]

It would never trust it anywhere in a bow.

I say go for it

I hate to hear that. I have a pile of African "Mahogany", I was hoping to make some lams out of.
Whats your experience Roy?

[wood carver 2]

Mahogany isn’t strong and can be brittle. I have used it as an accent in a riser that has a strong I- beam. It would work as a veneer under glass.
Dave.

[Flem]

I'm skeptical. It has almost the exact same strength and elasticity as Black Cherry, and Cherry makes a damn fine lamination. I'd like to hear of some first hand failures.

[Roy from Pa]

Used it as a riser once and it split lengthwise right through the riser block end to end.

A 1/4" thick section stayed glued to the bow and the rest looked like I cut it off with a saw.

Not a strong wood, and very brittle......

Take a piece and tap it with a hatchet on the end and you will see.

But Felmey ole boy, go for it:)

And take pichers:)

Between glass or a core lam for a wood trilam it may be ok.

 

[Flem]

I hoping Clint will

[Trenton G.]

I've got a couple of bows that I've made with mahogany in the riser. Should I be worried about them? You guy's have me a bit nervous now.

[Flem]

I've got a couple of bows that I've made with mahogany in the riser. Should I be worried about them? You guy's have me a bit nervous now.

What style Bows  did you make? Any pics?

[Trenton G.]

Both were laminated bows.
The first one is a 75# recurve. The mahogany is on the outside, with maple and teak in the middle.

The second is a 54# longbow. The stripe in the middle is mahogany with maple and walnut surrounding it.
I know there was a thing about Photobucket on here a while ago, but this is the only photo I have of it and photobucket thing is kind of stuck on there.

[Roy from Pa]

Those will be fine in conjunction with the other woods.

Very nice..

[Crooked Stic]

I got some of that mahogany. I think I tried stabilizing it and it would not take the juice. Thinking about putting it outside under something to keep it damp and see it will spalt up any.

[Flem]

Teak and Mahogany, going to call you Mr. Exotic!
Those are nice looking handles
What did you make the limbs from?

[Wolftrail]

I guess its OK sandwiched like that.

[Jackpine Boyz]

I was figuring at first to at least use it for tip overlays, etc.  I think that should be fine.

I am thinking to try to use it in a bow. I will just keep it in the riser as shown above.  If it's not bending, it may work.  I'll start with a few test pieces as well before I commit all the way.


Thanks for the feedback.  I definitely won't be putting it near any working wood.   He mentioned that he'll be getting IPE in a few weeks, may hold off until then.  Ipe offers a lot of options.
 

[Trenton G.]

So far they haven't given me a reason to worry but I guess you never know.

Flem, the recurve has bocote in the limbs and the longbow has zebrawood.