Elm bow staves...anyone in SE interested?

[C_Claycomb]

There is a development that is going to go ahead near me where a clump of elm are to be felled. They appear as if they have grown up as suckers, but are now all close to 8 inches in diameter. This is bigger than I have seen elms get in other locations, and while I think it a great shame for them to be felled before their time, the local council tree experts are adamant that they will be dead in 5 years or less from Dutch Elm disease.

Anyway, there are a couple of trunks in the bunch of 10 or so that look really straight and knot free. I have had preliminary words with the company that will be felling them and they are happy for me to have some wood. They expect to do the work in three to four weeks from now, but have promised to be in touch.

So, who would be interested in some staves? They will be green and only rough split, and they will need to be collected…no Royal mail! Since splitting elm is a good deal of work, I would like an idea of how many staves people might want before I wind up with a patio load of surplus timber. Also, if anyone fancies coming and giving me a hand split out their staves…

 

[Not that Taz]

Colour me interested!!!! :You_Rock_

If I am in the Uk, let me know what weekend you want a hand!!!

Taz

 

[bent-stick]

I'd love some for a couple of holmgaards that I'm planning.

Quite willing to swap a bow for a few decent bits of elm...I was given a slab of ash that looks promising for a primitive flat bow.

And if I'm free I can bring my club hammer and wedges to help split out the staves. Splitting elm is as good as a trip to the gym any day.

 

[Lithril]

I'm interested please Chris, if you need a hand and I'm not too inundated with school work I'd be happy to help split them.


Matt

 

[Buckshot]

I could be tempted as well if there's some left...
Give me a shout when.

Cheers

Mark

 

[chrisanson]

pity about the postage
oh well must try and find one for myself
chris

 

[Robbo]

AAARGHH !!!!


Too far away for me I'm afraid.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Okay guys.
I had nothing better to do today, so I split the two logs I had down to (very) rough staves. I have 10 staves all about 75 inches long, ranging from one which is only really suitable for a light-weight youth bow, to two, maybe three, that with careful splitting/cutting could yeild two bows a-piece.

The logs were about 8" diameter, but some staves have a little more crown than others. A couple have a bit of twist, and at least one looked like it had good reflex (might hang on to that one )

It wasn't as hard to split as I had anticipated, although the two extra wedges I got today helped no end

Anyone who wants one/some, please PM me and we can arrange pick-up or transfer.

If you want to see what the wood looks like, just holler and I will try to post some pictures.

Buckshot, unless you have a yen to drive over this way, it might be easiest for me to store yours till I see you in March.

 

[bent-stick]

Hi Chris,
I picked up some elm out of my mates wood last week so I'm not desperate for it. Let everyone else have first pick and if there's anything left let me know. I go past Hemel once a week on my way to the M1.

 

[Snufkin]

I'd love some if only I had transport .

 

[3Please]

Hi Chris,

I passing your way on Sunday and Tuesday night. Wouldn't mind one or two if you got enough to go round.

let me know, cheers

 

[C_Claycomb]

No problem. I have dropped you a PM with address and phone number.

 

[Buckshot]

Could you bring one along for me on the 10th please Chris

Cheers

Mark

 

[C_Claycomb]

Will do Mark

 

[weekender]

Snufkin i often work near hemel hempstead on my way to watford if thats ok with c_claycomb i could pick some up and then arrange transfer to you some time when i head towards colchester or somewhere near, it could be a bit long winded way of doing it. but its a thought!

 

[nickg]

Chris

Thanks for the Elm on I picked up last Sunday - I shall be roughing it out in the next few weeks and letting it sit for a while. Ill post some pics if theres anything worth saying in them

Cheers
Nick

 

[C_Claycomb]

BUMP

This kind of went dead, then other stuff happend and distracted me.

I still have elm that needs a home. Two big staves with bark that could be split down, with luck, into two staves each, suitable for flatbows.