Wood for bow saw?

I built this saw out of Beech (I think) 30 years ago.

I know beech will work nicely, was looking for something a little more fancy. This will only have a 12” blade but that’s still going to put a lot of pressure on the arms with the tension. I might end up with beech and that’s ok but looking for something a bit more exciting.

Very nice saw by the way. That’s a big boy for sure.

I used hickory for my grammercy kit. Love the saw. If you want something fancier, the nicest one I’ve ever seen was an ebony saw in Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s book The Art of Fine Tools: https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Art_of_Fine_Tools.html?id=pPZs0SDZ_UkC (unfortunately you can’t see the saw in the preview).

-- No craft is very far from the line beyond which is magic. -- Lord Dunsany

NOW YOU’RE TALKING JADobson. I have some marking gauges in brass and ebony from the 1800’s I use all the time, would look nice! I can’t seem to find the strength of all of these woods let alone have a clue at what the strength should be for this anyway.

Still interested in other suggestions, keep them coming.

I can t seem to find the strength of all of these woods let alone have a clue at what the strength should be for this anyway.

- ki7hy

Check out The Wood Database It has the numbers for many species of wood. The one that would be in play here is the modulus of elasticity. Too low and the wood will just snap when tension is applied. Compare anything you want to use to hickory and you’ll get a good idea of how well it would work. Cottonwood, for instance, is quite a bit lower, so would probably not work well.

I built a couple bow style coping saws out of red oak and honey locust and they were just fine. I’ve seen them out of maple and ash, as well.

-- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson

JADobson, I just looked up the book and found these associated.

Thanks JayT for the info, wasn’t sure what category would matter. I’ll be looking things up for sure.

Hammer thumb made me this one for the saw swap we had, it has a nice inlay in walnut and works well.

That’s awesome waho, Hammer Thumb did an awesome job on that one. Brass inlay, would be new for me, would look great, think I might have to incorporate that.

Thanks for posting that.

I would think mahogany would be plenty strong if you could find good, straight-grained pieces. It is commonly used for guitar necks which withstand an enormous amount of tension/stress.

-- Matt - Phoenix, AZ

Thanks Matt, would have to be African for sure. I know the Honduras stuff isn’t very good. I actually have a board at home that would do size wise but I can’t guarantee the type.

Edit:

I just looked at the wood database and the Honduras stuff is pretty weak.