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  1. 29th October 2014, 07:51 PM #1
    sreid2109
    sreid2109 is offline New Member
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    Default Most flexible strongest timber?

    Hi everyone,
    Just wishing to rack your brains on the most flexible and strongest timber.
    I've been told about Osage orange,that it's been used to make longbows, and would be right for what I'm looking for.
    I'm looking for a timber that comes in lengths close to 6 foot and has minimal knots.
    Does anyone know of any other species which are very flexible, yet still strong.
    Thanks
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  3. 30th October 2014, 08:06 AM #2
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    NCArcher
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    Osage or Yew was traditionally used to make long bows. A good Australian equivalent is Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au
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  4. 30th October 2014, 08:35 AM #3
    Toymaker Len
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    Strips of giant bamboo are much more flexible than wood and very tough. How about telling us what you have in mind?
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  5. 31st October 2014, 07:41 PM #4
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    JDarvall
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    spotted gum comes to mind.
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  6. 31st October 2014, 07:52 PM #5
    John.G
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    Jitta ( Halfordia scleroxyla). Local Aboriginals used it for spears, now finds use in bearing blocks, pool cues, sledge hammer handles and bows. I'm happy enough to give a piece away if I've got the right size so long as you pay the freight.
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  7. 31st October 2014, 08:14 PM #6
    cava
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    Quote Originally Posted by John.G View Post
    Jitta ( Halfordia scleroxyla). Local Aboriginals used it for spears, now finds use in bearing blocks, pool cues, sledge hammer handles and bows. I'm happy enough to give a piece away if I've got the right size so long as you pay the freight.
    Kudos to you. That's why I like this forum.
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  8. 6th November 2014, 09:05 AM #7
    John Samuel
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    Spotted gum with straight can be tough to find, and straight grain is necessary for a bow.

    I have been making longbows from silver ash for many years, with good success. As Len mentioned, large bamboo sections are also a good alternative.

    Saw a bow a few years ago that had straight-grained timber (forget the species) as the heart and bamboo laminates on either side, and it worked a treat.

    But we can't really offer much advice until we know what you want to use the timber for.
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