Home › Forums › Bows and Equipment › Using pecan for a selfbow?

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    • critch
      Member
        July 2, 2014 at 2:12 pm
        Post count: 111
        #7479

        The reason I’m asking this is because I’m having to cut down a pecan tree on my farm. The trunk is very straight, no limbs to speak of and no twisting. It’s about 8 inches in diameter and the main part of the trunk is over 8 feet tall. If I season this properly will it make a good self bow? I know they use pecan for furniture, but I’ve never heard of it being used for bows.

      • Bernie Clancey
        Member
          July 3, 2014 at 12:31 am
          Post count: 82
          #62843

          I am no expert on self bows and have only used ash and ironwood for my self bows because that is what is available.

          I have been told that any wood that produces fruit or nuts can be used to make self bow. I would wait for some of the more expert opinions before going with this one, but I would salvage the tree just in case.

        • tailfeather
            July 3, 2014 at 1:06 am
            Post count: 417
            #62860

            Pecan is essentially another species of hickory…..they are in the same genus. I’ve never made one from pecan, but folks I know who have say it is a little more brittle than hickory, but still makes a pretty good bow. Like hickory, use the wood right under the bark for the back….no chasing a ring required.

          • William Warren
            Member
              July 17, 2014 at 3:01 am
              Post count: 1384
              #22071

              Probably should get the bark off of it and store it indoors. If beetles get in it its all over and it will just be some stove wood.

              I’ve got a pecan that needs a lower limb taken off this winter. I may try some myself.

            • critch
              Member
              Member
                July 17, 2014 at 1:43 pm
                Post count: 111
                #22564

                I stripped the bark already and have it in a barn on the rafters. Maybe I should put it in the garage.

                I found my draw knives. There is supposed to be a bowyer in our area putting on a demonstration of techniques this fall. I plan to attend to see how much I don’t know. Which is probably considerable.

                Yew is not native to our area. Too bad, I always wanted a yew bow just like Robin Hoods.

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