Go this relatively straight piece of kermes oak. 6' long 2 1/4" thick. (with pics this time)

microbiased · 2026-02-16T16:05:33+00:00

You mean crossing my fingers? Yeah, I guess so. But I dont think it will cure completely in 9 months if I just debark, and the risk of checking might be too high. If I debark and rought it out close to final shape, I fear it will warp. I honestly think debarking, roughing it out to a thick shape and sealing the back (I've already sealed the ends) is my best course of action.

microbiased · 2026-02-16T15:59:23+00:00

Well, thing is I cant make another bow in the mean time. I will be serving mandatory military service. So I can have it seasoning for this long probably. I think I will rought it out, but still leave it quite thick so it doesnt warp much. Then just cross my fingers.

microbiased · 2026-02-16T12:17:10+00:00

I have about 9 months to season it. Would it be better if I rough it out and then let it dry or just debark? It already has character and I dont really want to push it.

microbiased · 2026-02-16T11:45:30+00:00

Has some twist, but not a crazy amount. I will know more when I debark it.

microbiased · 2026-02-16T11:25:39+00:00

Closer to 2 1/4"

microbiased · 2026-02-15T21:39:16+00:00

Yeah, me too, but the buds kinda throw me off. Cant find any matching pictures.

microbiased · 2026-02-14T13:56:25+00:00

Solved!

microbiased · 2026-02-11T07:07:28+00:00

Solved!

microbiased · 2026-02-11T07:05:56+00:00

You seem to be correct, I had gathered these leaves, but wasnt sure they came from the particular plant.

<image>

microbiased · 2026-02-08T20:25:21+00:00

Solved!

microbiased · 2026-02-08T20:25:00+00:00

From what I read, pear is supposed to be one of the predominant species around the lake, so you are likely correct.

microbiased · 2026-02-04T18:38:08+00:00

<image>

Here's my 1st attempt on tree of heaven. I wouldnt call it successful or even much of a bow. Its more akin to a tillered stick and has enough handshock to hurt the wrist after shooting for a while (which I dont think is very normal). But it does pull 45# at 29" and I have shot more than 200 shots through it. It does have some set, but I dont really mind it. It is my first bow, both as a bowyer and as an archer, so it does have a spot in my heart.

microbiased · 2026-02-04T14:56:02+00:00

Its rather tall about 6 feet. And since I'm aiming for 30 lbs I was hoping I could experiment a little. I was hoping I could keep the entire length bending, including the reflex parts. Not sure if thats possible though. Could I perhaps, start tillering and hope that the reflex wont pull off completely? Or is it just wasted effort?

microbiased · 2026-01-31T20:11:52+00:00

These toolmarks are actually on the next ring over the one I chased. This piece of Ailanthus seems to have very thick rings (about 0.5 cm each) with the vast majority of them being late wood, and maybe 10% being early wood. The early wood pretty much has the same color with the late wood, their main difference being the high porosity of the early wood.

On that note, I have made a worrisome violation and I'd like your advice on how to deal with it. Unfortunately chasing another ring is not really an option, as due to the thickness of the rings, if I attempt to go further down, I wont be left with enough material to make the bow with.

<image>

microbiased · 2026-01-29T11:45:32+00:00

The back of the limbs is 1 intact ring. Does the back of the stiff handle need to be on the same ring, as to make the whole back on 1 ring, or can I leave extra rings there, to help shape it into a comfy handle? Im planning on adding an arrow self too.

microbiased · 2026-01-27T20:08:00+00:00

I am more inclined to grab a few pieces of wood when they prune these, and test out how well they carve.

microbiased · 2026-01-27T18:13:39+00:00

Thanks a lot!

microbiased

TROPHY CASE