Thread: Help please with NZ wood for bow.

Originally Posted by Pete_D

Hey Guys - my son has been making bows himself and now wants to improve them into something suitable for a little hunting. Like any young fella he has watched lots on youtube and picked up some good information. But any advice especially for NZ would be appreciated.
- What timbers native or other timbers make good bow staves ? He has heard Lance wood is ok and currently has a piece drying in his room. He wants to try few different species ?
- How long do we need to season it for ?
- And do we simply season with bark on and just let it dry ?

Cheers

Most milled timber will dry at 1 inch per month. With a 'bark on round' a guess would be to double that. If your son wants to make a primitive style but very fast bow he could try a long branch from a Macrocarpa. If you take one of those whippy branches from the bottom of a spreading tree especially one that the cows have been using as a back scratcher he will be surprised at how good it is. Better than Lancewood IMO. With a bit of suitable cord on the back of the bow like a sinew bow and a binding it will rocknroll