Cheers ExHelot.
Elm is a great bow wood especially with over building slightly and some heat.
I have just been given some lovely hand forged bodkins from EverythingMac. He says they are just practice ones but they are great.
I now need something suitable to shoot them from. So it has to be a yew English longbow what else
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I intend to make a few heavier bows in the warbow order from the elm so this is good practice. All I have been concentrating on over the past few years is high stress shortbows sub 60" This is like manoeuvring a barge pole around the place!
Only tillered out to 25 inch draw so far and i want her to be around 29/30 and around 60lbs or so.
First up the armour punchers ! :evilangel:
I know what you mean about over building. My first experience was with a very clear red elm stave. I got all excited and made a beautiful, slender, wasp waisted little number. It shot like a dream, no hand shock to speak of and fast. Then at about 70-75 shots, it exploded at 3/4 draw. After that I became very cautious. The next was a copy of the Meare Heath bow but using black locust. Seemed like a waste of material but from my info it was wrapped in criss-cross fashion with sinew or gut, so I did likewise. Something went right because it still lives after years of use and an inch and a half set. I'd be interested in the end result of your project, especially the speed and destructive power against some modern conveniences! I haven't made a bow in years, but you're inspiring me to hit the woods and search for a stave (victim?
![Roll Eyes :rolleyes: :rolleyes:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
). Please keep me posted.