Laurel as a bow wood?

ALW · October 21, 2008, 03:00:00 PM

Has anyone every heard of using laurel (mountain laurel) as a bow wood? I found a really nice straight piece about 4" in diameter and about 6' long before it starts bending and was just wondering if it was worth cutting. Thanks.

Aaron

KILLER B · October 21, 2008, 05:48:00 PM

I cut it for a backdrop/ cover in the woods. It will be interesting to know if you can use it for bow wood or not.

Pat B · October 21, 2008, 07:39:00 PM

I cut a stave a few years ago but haven't tried it yet. As tough as mt laurel is it should work. Pat

Crimson mist · October 22, 2008, 07:23:00 AM

Mountain laurel is listed as a true bow wood .68 on Tim Baker's list if that helps

ALW · October 22, 2008, 10:02:00 AM

Thanks for the help. I may have to cut some. Do you treat it like white woods, just peeling the bark?

Thanks again.

Aaron

Pat B · October 22, 2008, 10:23:00 AM

I would say yes...just like other whitewoods.

shamus · October 23, 2008, 07:24:00 AM

tim baker's list is here: http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/6213

though a more complete list can be found in the Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol.3

razorback · December 22, 2008, 08:04:00 PM

Where did you find a piece of Mountain Laurel 6' long without a bend or twist.

ALW · December 23, 2008, 08:59:00 AM

I guess "really nice straight" piece is somewhat subjective! LOL.... There's a little patch of it growing along a haul road on a piece of property I hunt. I'm normally walking by this spot in the dark going in or coming out but saw it one day scouting. It's not perfectly straight and does have one knot in it, but it's a good deal straighter than all the other stuff. I have to talk to the landowner about cutting it but I don't think it will be a problem. When I get it cut I'll post some pictures.

Aaron

Roy Steele · January 30, 2009, 02:38:00 PM

To find a peice 6'and straight not twisted up.I saw one about 10 years ago at a primitive shoot.It was hickory backed.it had 3' otf string follow.Which happen before he backed iT.Before he said it had about 4".He said he thinks it might have been a little green.
After that I walked a lot mountain sides.With on luck.I live in the eastern pandle of W.V.Here it dos'nt grow big enough.It least I could'nt find any.It took a lot of mountain sides to find that out.

ALW · July 29, 2009, 02:12:00 PM

Well it's been awhile but I finally cut the laurel this weekend. It's a little bendier (is that a word) than I thought but not bad. It will need a little straightening. The piece is about 70-inches long. One side is really clean with no visible knots or branches. The other side has a branch but I'm going to make it the belly side and hopefull get rid of the area.

It's right at 4" on one end and about 3 1/2" on the other. I was going to try and split it but figured I would screw it up so I went ahead and reduced it some with a hatchet along the belly. The ends are sealed and most of the bark is removed. The bark is paper thin and comes off in pieces about the size of a dime.

I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. Any suggestions as to dimensions for this wood? It will have a pretty good crown on the back so I'm assuming a flat belly profile. Thanks.

Aaron

ALW · July 31, 2009, 08:19:00 AM

Anyone? I haven't had a chance to check out my TBB's yet. Thanks,

Aaron

Pat B · July 31, 2009, 11:18:00 PM

Flat belly and as wide as you can get it. If it begins getting thin during tiller reduce the width a bit.

ALW · August 03, 2009, 03:18:00 PM

Thanks Pat. I'm still working on the photos.

Aaron