Snagged a chunk of cedar (juniperus virginiana) when a guy was clearing some pasture for mom. Was able to get a 61" piece about 3" diameter that is single trunk, very straight, and has one side that is nearly knot-free (big ones anyway). Bark is off, ends sealed with poly. Drying in the attic for a week now. I want to make a 60" flatbow, will sinew back it. 1 3/4 wide to midlimb probably. I don't know yet... Anyway, was wondering if anyone has had luck flipping tips with steam or otherwise recurving to some extent. How thick should i leave the limb tips? Steaming should take less time being a softer wood, I assume..?

I know folks have made bows from erc , but it's the last wood I would want to try to get a bow from.

Mike Yancey makes quite a few from ERC that he heats into a DR shape and then sinews the back. I know that the few I have made that stayed together, I use the sapwood for the back and belly and save the pretty red heartwood for the grip.

"From the dry store hole under the rock, he produced a piece of common red cedar. Some use hickory; it is less liable to break and will stand more abuse, but it has not the sharp, clean action of cedar. The latter will send the arrow much farther, and so swiftly does it leave the string that it baffles the eye. But the cedar bow must be cared for like a delicate machine; overstring it, and it breaks; twang it without an arrow, and it sunders the cords; scratch it, and it may splinter; wet it, and it is dead; let it lie on the ground, even, and it is weakened. But guard it and it will serve you as a matchless servant, and as can no other timber in these woods."

First take your stave out of the attic, bad things happen to green wood when subjected to that much heat.

I haven't recurved cedar but have a bow making acquaintance who makes recurved bamboo backed ERC bows and has encountered no problems with them.

My experience with ERC is very limited, I made one hickory backed ERC bow, the cedar didn't fail but the hickory backing did in short order with a resounding crash.

Simon on primitive made a beautiful Ishi bow out ERC. lots of reflex, and a little flip in the tips. Poundage was in the 30's I believe. ERC is in the juniper family, and our natives made good bows from juniper with sinew backs.

Yes, get it out of the attic. Rough it out green, almost as thin as intended, so it will dry without checking. The sapwood is not good in compression. For higher poundage maker the limbs as wide as you can stand to. Sinewed ERC is a great bow. Hold the bow in reflex while applying and drying the sinew.

I should have mentioned, the "attic" space is not hot yet. 20s/30s at night, 50/60 daytime outside. So not terrible up there (cool to warm) But I will take your advice and get it down, I should have time tomorrow to cut it out. Thanks

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