A skilled bowyer can craft a functional bow from virtually any type of wood. However, some species naturally offer greater potential than others. Woods with especially favorable properties are often referred to as bow woods .
In today's article, we'll take a closer look at several of them. Based on my experience, I'll discuss the species that have become my personal favorites, and I'll share some thoughts and practical tips on working with each one.
What Makes the Best Bow Wood?
Here are the key factors I consider when evaluating bow wood:
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Bowmaking characteristics (tensile and compressive strength, density, durability, etc.)
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Availability and price
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Appearance
It's important to note that a bowyer's preferred woods often depend heavily on where they live. Since I live in Poland, I typically work with European species. If you don't have access to the woods on my list—don't worry. You'll likely find other excellent species available in your area.
Notable Bow Woods
Yew (Taxus baccata)
A legendary evergreen bow wood. Its popularity once led to significant decline in yew populations in some regions. Yew grows as a small tree or large shrub and develops beautifully colored wood with compression-resistant heartwood and tension-resistant sapwood. This natural combination makes it a built-in laminate and an exceptionally valuable material for bowyers.
It works well for longbows, flatbows, recurves, and warbows. Yew is often knotty and full of character, which can be both inspiring and challenging for the craftsman. In many places it is protected, making it difficult and expensive to obtain.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
A large tree with pale, beautifully ringed wood. Ash may suffer from compression issues, so longer and wider bow designs are recommended. It responds very well to heat-treating and, when properly tillered, produces fast, smooth-shooting bows.
It tends to take some set and can be risky if the growth rings are too thin—bows from fine-ringed ash often fail. In recent years, ash trees have been severely affected by fungal diseases.
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Another large species producing reddish, attractively grained wood. Red oak bends easily with heat or steam. Although it may take some set, it still makes smooth, pleasant-shooting bows. Only the heartwood should be used. Remove the sapwood to avoid drying cracks that can ruin the stave.
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
A striking wood with a golden color, often developing snaky or irregular grain. Black locust is a small, thorny tree and, like ash, can have compression issues. It benefits from heavy heat-treating and bends easily with heat.
Long and flat bow designs are generally recommended. Use the heartwood for bowmaking.
Cross-sections of different wood species used in traditional bow making.
Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Suitable for both flatbows and lighter, rounded-belly bows. Maple is pale in color with a fairly subtle grain. When properly tillered, it takes very little set. Although the wood may appear simple, bows made from maple are reliable, effective, and durable.
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
An excellent choice for beginners. Hazel is common, grows in shrub form, and visually resembles ash. It is easy to work with, produces sweet flatbows, and responds well to heat-treating.
Hazel doesn't handle high draw weights very well and is prone to compression fractures, especially in bows with a D-shaped cross-section.
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)
Another legendary bow wood, though very hard to find and expensive in Europe. Its natural golden color is striking, and the wood often features snaky, dynamic grain. Osage is suitable for all types of bows, including powerful ones.
It bends well with heat or steam. Only the heartwood is used, and the sapwood is typically removed.
Handmade bows crafted from various wood species.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the species I've worked with that I believe deserve special attention. It's worth mentioning that nearly all fruitwoods are also suitable for bow making. Additionally, individual trees—and even individual stages—can vary greatly in character and performance.
Working with different woods has always been one of the greatest joys of bowmaking for me. Discovering their unique properties is endlessly fascinating. As a forester, I feel a deep connection to nature and to wood as a material—each piece feels like a work of art.
I'm honored to be a traditional woodworker and bowyer, and I'm happy to share my passion and experience with you all.
All the best!
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