[SCA-AE] Archery Question

[J C Ronsen]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:57:32 -0700 (PDT), Éadaoin ingen Chanacáin 
wrote:
> Greetings!
> 
> I'm a novice archer with (hopefully) a simple question.
> 
> In looking online at various archery supplier web sites, many
> bowyers offer an option to have a bow made of purple heart wood.
> Normally, I would jump at the chance to have a purple bow (those
> who know me can attest), however I was under the impression that
> purple heart is a fairly hard wood (heh heh), making it less than
> ideal for bow-making and using.
> 
> Those experienced archers of AEthelmearc... is purple heart a good
> wood for a bow? Or should I beware of anyone claiming they can make
> a good bow with this breed of wood?
> 
> NB: I ask because while at Pennsic I saw a lovely, handmade bow
> which was laquered purple and far out of my price range. It got me
> thinking about various materials used in bowmaking, and which were
> more effective than others. I wound up buying a lovely 35# from
> Meric, so I'm not looking to buy immediately. But it's nice to have
> the knowledge for the future.
> 
> Thank you in advance!
> 
> Eadaoin inghean Chanacain
> Barony of Delftwood


Purple heart can be used in bow making. I did a quick search on google 
and found an Engligh bowyer that is selling triple laminate longbows 
with a purple heart core.

http://www.english-longbow.co.uk/largepics/page%20purple%20heart.html

ska: Baron Caleb Reynolds
mka: Caleb Ronsen
aka: Bubba th' Barbarian
Baron of the Rhydderich Hael
Inventor of the stainless steel pinata.
http://www.buffnet.net/~caleb/caleb.htm

"I'll have a hot dog", said Tom frankly.