Tradhunter - Traditional Archery Bow Hunting Forums

Been doing a lot of research and I have found a reputable source for bow staves in both Hickory and Osage. The staves aren’t cheap mind you, but they come air dried and treated for bugs. While I’m sure that I can chase a ring easily on a good piece of Osage, I’m gonna start with a hickory bow so I don’t have to worry about this time. If the results are good then the second bow will be Osage. Now, I know they hickory is not awesome for high humidity environments. However, everything I have read says if the bow is kept inside and has a good finish it will be fine. Additionally, to improve cast in this environment I already have beautifully matched pieces of rawhide. Order date is November 1st so stay tuned.

Lots and lots of hickory bows out there....I wouldn't worry too much once it's got finish on it. I had a hickory bow that was bamboo backed for quite a while. I sold it about 2 years ago but it shot surprisingly good.

How's the market for Red Mulberry? Mulberry is related to Osage Orange and resembles it in almost every way wood wise, except it tends to have more pretty and better dominant rings. Once I realized this fact, I started wanting a Mulberry bow over the Osage. One of these days maybe.....

Hmm good Idea Jason. The supplier I found does hickory, Osage, and black locust. I’ll have to see if I can find mulberry.

Here are some pics of mulberry... very similar to osage.

That’s a beautiful wood.

I have a hickory stave that I started about three years ago and I quit working on it because I found a knot about 8" from the end .
That discouraged me to the point of giving up . No time for that , I have knives to make .

Gotta a pic of that stave lying around graps??

No , but I still have it . If I think of it , I'll get one .

I’ve seen some good mulberry bows. Made a few Hickory, it makes a decent bow.