I haven't made a bow in a few years but have recently built a shave horse and came into a few seasoned ash staves. I've been thinking about doing a little reflex/deflex design. (nothing terribly crazy in terms of curves) and was wondering if anyone had photos of similar projects in ash and any tips? I know ash probably isn't the best wood to be bending but it's the only seasoned piece of wood I have while the winter (and my cabin fever) lasts. I'll attach a rough plan of what I have in mine so more experienced builders can tell me if I'm crazy or not.

To get that much bend in the handle would require some time steaming. Ash can be a good bow wood but there are so many different species of ash that it is really hard to say. The density is a pretty good tip off. If it feels at least as dense as maple or oak you should be good to go.

As a kid we used to make toboggans from ash. We'd soak the wood in water for a couple days, then bend around the form using a propane torch. The wood would bend around back on itself.

Point being ash bends quite well

Passin, was the wood green or seasoned. I know green ash bends real well.

Ash is quite good for bending. Support both sides of the css curve, over bend radius by an 1" or so for springback. Try to limit grain runout. Can bend a pretty tight radius with ash. Have done snow shoes, fish nets, boat ribs...grain is key.

I bent a canoe paddle a few years ago. Sanded off the finish. Laid the paddle across a pot of boiling water and covered it with a towel. Kept the water boiling for an hour I think and then clamped the paddle to a 2x4 with a block of wood under the blade to get the proper bend. Two days later I refinished the paddle. I was really proud of it BUT the paddle slowly straightened out and a year later is almost straight.

Use make snurfers [like a water ski for snow] by getting really hot water in a 55 gallon drum. Had a jig made to hold the curve until dry. Was always a cold weather day project because it took a lot of firewood.

Made a really nice static recurve with MI. ash. Emerald ash bores were killing all my trees on the back 40. Steamed the tips and sinew back with a little back set. Don't have time to look for pics right now. John

Thanks for the input! Maybe it's not as ambitious a project as I thought. I'd love to see any pics of bent ash bows or bows of a similar style. I'd definitely appreciate a pic or 2 when you have time Stoner. Your project seems similar to my own. I'll keep you all informed as to progress etc.

Thanks again,

Osler's node

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