Red Oak for longbow??

[Toxopholist]

Hi. I recently made a full D section longbow from Red Oak. It had a very even grain running the full length of the bow. It had to be tillered a bit deeper than normal to get a reasonable draw weight, but shoots very well. It has followed the string badly though. Still, fun to work with and only £10 worth of wood!

[mossanimal]

Hi... Thats good to hear. What exactly do you mean by 'followed the string badly'?

So far I've been happy with it. I am getting very good results with it. I am just curious about its power. I have nothing to compare it to.

Anyway... Best wishes, Scott

[N.Vodden]

i think that by follow the string, he means that the bow has taken a shape like its strung, when its not. ie if you take the string off its not straight anymore, its curved. Have heard this referred to also as the bow has 'taken a set'.

though i may be wrong, i'm not a longbowman!

hmm the bamboo backed hickory ELB on woodbows doesnt look all that bad

[mossanimal]

Originally Posted by N.Vodden

i think that by follow the string, he means that the bow has taken a shape like its strung, when its not. ie if you take the string off its not straight anymore, its curved. Have heard this referred to also as the bow has 'taken a set'.

though i may be wrong, i'm not a longbowman!

hmm the bamboo backed hickory ELB on woodbows doesnt look all that bad

Yes.... Then my bow is 'following the string'. And damn it! He just added that bamboo backed hickory bow. That was not an option when I ordered. I wish they would have let me know. I am using this bow for deer hunting and would rather of had a 60lb bamboo backed bow. O well. At least I am learning and having fun.