english
Ex Member
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Honey locust is related to mesquite, and the Navajo bow tested by Saxton Pope was sinew-backed mesquite - apparently it was quite a bow. So I'd assume it to be quite good. Not necessarily because of the sinew - mesquite is very dense wood, used as a club by the mojave, and being dense and sturdy it should make a good bow. It is also a very medicinal tree. Apple trees... might be a little soft. But I think most fruit trees, and nut trees, make quite good bows - the hickories are nut trees, for instance. I suppose apple would be sturdy enough. You might have to back it with something, but I wouldn't think so. Having money is not always good. I don't have loads, and I am sure I can cope without it. Sure, it's nice to occasionally go to the cinema with friends or something, but it's not something I can't live without. Greed is a bad thing.
Another little bit about hazel... I found a German traditional archery site where they have discussed the possibility of using hazel for bows, and back it up with proof. Edvard der 4. versuchte wiederholt, Menge und Befähigung der Englischen Bogenschützen aufrecht zu erhalten. " Jeder Engländer oder in England lebender Ire sollte einen eigenen, zu seiner Statur passenden Bogen aus Eibe, Bergulme, Haselnuß, Goldregen oder jeglichem anderen vernünftigen Holz besitzen." Note that the slightly ambiguous "wych hazel" of Ascham is different in German, translated straight to "Haselnuss." I think that the mere fact they were discussing it shows that it is a viable bow wood anyhow. I still haven't used it properly. Tomorrow I will find a good hazel stave.
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