What kind of different wood choices do we have on a bow?

[Margly]

Hi!
I have seen a lot of different and very nice woods for a bow.

Usually it seems like we go in the same direction, and that the different bowyers have their preferred list of wood types to use in limb veneers and risers.

Here is some in the top of my mind:

Risers:
Cocobolo
Ironwood
Dymondwood
Different types of rosewood
Bocote
Shedua
Walnut
Bubinga

Limb veneers:
Yew
Osage
Maple
Black glass
Bocote


Then sometimes there is some unusual woods that pop up like

Limb veneers:
Spalted Pacific Maple limbs
Dirty bamboo
etc.

Riser.
Black thorn tree from SA.


What I`m thinking of is that like me many tradgangers is looking for that special wood, or want to make their new bow something different.

In lack of knowledge I will be searching some and then choose one of the well known wood types.

That`s OK the bow is a good shooter looks like it should etc.

But I want to get more input on the subject.

I know that some woods are better for making risers.
But still...


If we call it a "brainstorm".
what kind of exotic or other wood types is there that YOU think is beautiful?    


Margly

[WINDTALKER]

How about snakewood,dalamation ebony and pink ivory

[metsastaja]

purple heart
cedar

[Bjorn]

Osage makes a good looking riser and Sapele is a beautiful limb veneer. Tulip is good for limbs and riser.

[coaster500]

Then once you choose a wood choosing the right piece is just as important.

Example ....

Myrtle on my limbs
 
 

These are Black Myrtle that Big Jim has...

 
 

More Myrtle (with a little walnut thrown in)...

 

It's enough to make a guy crazy    

[Bowwild]

I love the birdseye and quitled maples too.

[Bowwild]

Actually, "quitled" maple sucks but quilted maple is pretty cool...sorry for the typo.

[WildmanSC]

coaster500,

I would love to have a set of limbs with veneers made out of the dark curly walnut, I guess that's what it is, on the right in the bottom picture.

Bill

[coaster500]

Bill those were some pictures I found when trying to find woods for my last bow build. I'm not sure if they still can be found?

Jim had some of this Crotch Walnut and also had some really nice Burl?

 

[YORNOC]

What coaster said, the right piece means everything. Exampple: most bubinga is very plain, but you get into waterfall or pommelle bubinga, well now...totally different animal.
With risers you have to watch it though, the more figured, knotty, burly, sapwoody, grainy pieces are often weaker...but the bowyers know what'll work or what to do with it to make it strong enough..

[Margly]

Thanks for the pics Coaster!
That is some really nice woods!

Margly

[coaster500]

Margly


IdahoCurt, is a member and this is his link.

He's got some great Bacote pics...it say he's out but getting more...


 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=001180

[Mike Vines]

Here is one with Bocote, and Brazillian Blooodwood.  The Bloodwood adds a new flavor to a bow that I have not seen till I bought this one.  I'm going to have a goat skin leather grip installed this winter on it, just so that I can still wear my wool gloves and be able to hold onto it.  Not to mention, I love the look of worn leather.
 

[Bowwild]

Grape,
That bow is a very unusual beauty.  I feel like I should know what brand it is but I can't place it. Who made that one?

[wildgame]

now there are more different choices of woods!!! i keep seeing all kinds that would make a sick looking bow but that black myrtle thats my new fav!!!    i cant decide there are to many to choose just one!

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by Bowwild:
Grape,
That bow is a very unusual beauty.  I feel like I should know what brand it is but I can't place it. Who made that one?

It's a RER LX

[Bowwild]

Thanks. Nope, I'm not very familiar with that one although I have seen them mentioned a lot here.

[Stumpkiller]

Red elm for limb veniers.

Also curly birch.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Zebrawood for limbs, king wood, ebony, shedua, bubinga for risers.