I have two ERC staves i plan on working. Im looking to get 50-55# @ 29.5". I got one stave ruffed out. Its still a little green, so i got time to get a game plan. It is 69"L x 2"W and tapers to 1" on the ends on the last 12" of limbs. I got a set of knots that worry me a little so i made it a little wider in that area for now. This is just a ruff out till it dries. I want to see what yall think about them knots and what would be a good limb with given the target draw weight and length of the stave. Them knots are the three that are close together on bottom limb.

To give yourself the best chance with that I'd drill n plug the knots. ERC doesn't like knots like that. Then either back it with rawhide or sinew(but I wouldn't waste my time with sinew on that imo) and hope for the best. I'd keep the width you got right there because of the knots and needing to follow the grain around them leaving enough wood around at the edges. Looks like you'll also have all sapwood in the bow and no Heartwood. Bummer...that's the biggest reason why I'll even think about using the stuff. Good luck

ERC is incredibly risky wood for bows. I would go look for a better piece with nearly zero knots and a mostly flat, smooth back. You really cant lay rawhide or sinew on this back and expect it to work. The chances of this one becoming a bow are very low.

Way to go positive Pearl????. I have never done erc bow . But I recon Pearl is speaking truth here. Arvin

Thanks.. might just turn it into legs for a shave horse. The other stave aint much clearer.dont have much bow wood out on the property.i got black locust and mulberry i might try. Now to go find a couple of big branches to go cut and split.

I'm not being negative, just laying out the truth. ERC is very volatile bow wood in its pristine state. The amount of knots and wavy back is a killer on this piece. Couple that back with an inability to get a good rawhide/sinew adhesion and its nearly futile. Black locust and red mulberry are both superior to ERC, X10.

Here's the coolest unbacked ERC I've ever seen. Most experienced folks would've said that staves a waste of time. Wonder if it's still in one piece?

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.p hp/topic,39045.0.html

But yeah..anyways go cut your self some black locust. I love that stuff. In my top ten fav woods. If you have better wood available like that use it. Especially if your new at this. Once you get a good head on your shoulders you can try and play with stuff like that for fun.

Its not my first build.. its my first ERC and first piece of wood this knotty.ive played with mostly board bows, a red oak self, and a light weight sassafras self bow. Yes its still in one piece..... for now. Appreciate all the advice so far. Thanks

Its not my first build.. its my first ERC and first piece of wood this knotty.ive played with mostly board bows, a red oak self, and a light weight sassafras self bow. Yes its still in one piece..... for now. Appreciate all the advice so far. Thanks

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