Starting an "all Texas " bow for duck'n

[Dan Bonner]

About 9 months ago a tradganger from McAllen TX named Brian Payne posted a thread asking what Texas Ebony wood could be used to make. He and I PM'ed back and fourth for a while and the next thing I know a bunch of TX ebony logs showed up here in Houston. It turns out he had a bunch of limbs to prune in his and his inlaw's yard. Anyway we agreed that I would make him a longbow out of it and keep the rest as it is one of my favorite riser woods. Well I have already built several bows from it and tonight I started his. I decided to build his from logs from trees all cut in TX by me or a buddy or him. His riser will be TX Ebony, from his own yard, with Hill Country Cedar (actually a Juniper), and Osage Orange (cut in Lagrange). It will have osage cores, and Cedar belly lams, and it will be backed with S.TX Diamondbacks.It will also have a little carbon and glass. Ill post pics of the start and a few along the way as I build it after its done. I am also posting a few shots of other bows I built with Brian's Ebony. Kinda neet to be able to put something like this together for someone I met on this site.

The riser block and accent, core and veneer wood right after I cut it out. Notice all the scrap. Its tough to cut a square piece of lumber out of a log with my meger tools
 

The riser block. I love to use the pieces with sapwood and heartwood it looks really cool!
 

Another shot of the raw materials.
 

here is a shot of some recurve risers I made with Brian's lumber.(they are rough in this shot and there is no finish on them.)
 

And here is a finished LB I made from his Lumber.

 

 

Should be a fun project! Ill keep you posted.

Dan

[Pat B.]

Neat stuff Dan, thanks for posting the pictures.

BTW, what exactly is Texas Ebony ?

[Ian johnson]

Thats awesome!

[Dan Bonner]

Pat,
It's a species of tree that occurs only in S. TX and N. Mexico. Very heavy and hard wood. Sometimes around 65#/ squate foot (heavier than Cocobolo or Mac Ebony. Not a true Ebony but very durable and beautiful wood, not to mention hard to come by.

Dan

[Aggie1993]

Simply geogeous!  Anyone happen to have the scientific name for that species handy?

[Dan Bonner]

Scientific name Ebenopsis Ebano. Copy and paste this URL to learn more...  http://nativeplantproject.tripod.com/texas_ebony.htm

[duck'n]

Those look great Dan...I am drooling!  I feel like a kid waiting for Santa Claus.  I don't know if I am worthy enough of a recipient for this bow but I will try to live up.  Thanks again Dan, this bow will mean alot to me.

Aggie 1993...I have a book in my office that lists all the S. Texas brush, grass, and trees.  I will try to remember to post the scientific name for you.

[Dan Bonner]

Send me some sheds if you have a couple Brian and I will make some antler limb bolts and riser overlays for it. You think I should find a way to use some Mesquite in this thing?

[duck'n]

Mesquite would be cool too if it works...I trust your artistic ability.  I have some sheds.  What size do you need and how bleached can they be...also, how many do you need?  I might have some extras laying around that you could use on other bows as well.  I have them in my garage in a box so let me know some general guidelines and I will send some along.

[Dan Bonner]

Brian
Its best if they aren't too bleached. I could use about a Hundred or so. But as many as you are willing to part with is fine. Its best if they are 1 1/4" or larger across the burr.

[sticshooter]

Very nice looking bow. Congrats to the maker and the lucky stiff that gets it LOL<><<><

[duck'n]

Dan, I will take a look.  I have two that are just too nice to cut up...especially considering one came off the Anahuac WMA.  I will send you whatever else is in there besides the dried out ones.  Thanks again.

[Lucas K]

If you can find a big enough piece, Texas Persimmon is a beautiful black wood, and a true ebony (genus Diospyros)

Lucas

[Pat B.]

persimmon ????   Hmm, I have several of those, may have to whack one down and have a look see..

[highpoint forge]

Where in Lagrange did you get your Osage? I have family from there.

[highpoint forge]

Where in Lagrange did you get your Osage? I have family from there.

[Dan Bonner]

Yep,
Persimmon is an awesome riser wood. Very, very hard and pretty heavy. Problem is it takes a really big one to get that really dark heart wood. They tend to be 75%+ sapwood. The sapwood makes great core wood i'm told. It is nearly indestructable and can be used in carbon skinned limbs because it withstands shear forces well. I would love for someone to give me a big trunk to cut up. Would be worth a free bow if it is a big enough trunk.

[Dan Bonner]

My buddy Wade Schwake (Stripstrike1)is from Lagrange. He cut it on his mom's land. Can't give you specifics as I have only been there once to split a bunch of osage into staves.

[gatorgar]

That is going to be one very good looking bow you are getting there Brian.  You are going to let me shoot it right?  Please...

[Pat B.]

We'll have to look Dan.. There are about 1/2 dozen trees here that were around an old homestead. They are at least 40 years old ..