Woodworking discussion thread

[Strichev]

Post anything related.

Bowyering first!

Quite some time ago I posted about this. I've made great progress since then, and here are some nice pics of my unrelentingly stalwart struggle with the poor properties of hazel. I'm using it because of its extreme abundance. Not to mention no one is bothered when a random hazel disappears from their property. Soon™ I shall have enough skill to switch to yew! I even have a few yews scouted already.

I'm somewhat lacking in the tools department, for pretty much the only thing useful for the task is a draw knife. Sadly none of the local shops have it for sale. (WTF, right! I can count 25 different hair irons, but not a single draw knife.) Consequently I'm forced to use my great grandfather's draw knife...

Does anyone happen to know what might be the optimum humidity for drying wood? I'm concerned about string follow and set on my bow. Both might happen due to high moisture content.