Good wood in Uk

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:54 pm

Hi there, just wondering if there are UK bowyers out there who know where to get wood that works well in commpression, Im having a real hard time finding a supplier.
Ipe, Osage, Yew, Massabanduba, something that will work well with bamboo and that I can tiller from the back.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:30 am

The only UK friend I have with a good knowledge in this area is Nigel Burras (mainly self bows) in North Wales. Tel. 01758713123

Jos?Dom · Post by **Jos?Dom** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:12 pm

Maybe Hilary Greenland might help.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:54 pm

Charlie; You may be overthinking this one. With a bamboo back many other woods may work as well. Ash for instance. You can only slow down osage with a backing. Juniper is a favorite of mine.

I suppose you mean tillering from the belly, (and edges). -j-

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:50 pm

Thanks for the responses, I think I may have found an importer, ill ring tommorow and find out.

I wanted to use the backing to induce reflex.

I haven't tried bamboo on ash I may give it a go, but my attempts at maple backed boo ended in stress frets.

Im lucky in that I have a really good bamboo importer on my doorstep, and I tried bamboo backed with bamboo but Ive alot to learn about design and it would seem that tillering from the side is a bit tricky to say the least.

If this importer turns out to be good I'll post their name here.

Cheers.

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Thu May 21, 2009 6:32 pm

Well I tried alot of suppliers today and no joy unless I want to spent ?1000 or so.

I think im going to do what the bowyers of old did and work with what they could get locally, for me thats bamboo. It may be tricky but I can get lots of it and its consistant.

Oh and yes I meant belly not back, silly me.