Teak for selfbow?

[Anchor Zero Six]

Not planning on using teak for my first project but wondering if its suitable for a future project.

The idea is to make a short bow from teak with a nautical theme for bow fishing. By nautical theme I mean tip overlays in scrimshawed whaletooth, sealskin rest and plate, fancy work (fox and geese) handle wrapping etc.

I'm a 17 year Navy vet (CPO) and may be able to get some teak salvaged from an old ship. If so I also would like to inlay an engraved brass plate with the Ships name and hull number into the handle as well.

So thats the idea in my head just wondering if teak is a suitable wood to use for a self bow around 56" long and 45lbs draw.

[dkard]

Not sure Teak would be a great choice. It is a pretty heavy wood, which could rob performance. I do know it is a bugger to work, very hard on tools. They need to be sharpened a lot.

I am also not sure how well it flexes.

It would be great for the handle portion and limb tip reinforcements.

dave

[Anchor Zero Six]

I have worked teak before and you are 110% correct its a bugger. Didnt account for how weight would factor in but it makes sence that it would slow it down considerably.

Going to go with a different wood for the selfbow but I still like the idea of teak. Going to look into laminations vise a selfbow project for this wood.