Question about selecting woods for custom bow

[jerp]

I've been considering ordering a Bob Lee recurve and all the different wood choices are a bit overwhelming. Looking at his website it looks like several of his recurve models - The Natural, Elite, Exotic, Shedua and Actionwood, are the exact same bows, but with different wood combinations. My question boils down to, is there a noticeable performance difference in the different wood choices - especially in the limbs? Is it merely a matter of cosmetics? Trying to decide if the extra $200 or so for a fancier wood combination is worth it. Is it just paying extra for "more purty?" (not that there is anything wrong with that!)

[rubydog]

What you are really paying for is the option of having a pretty bow that is uniquely yours.
In most cases the wood that you choose is basically "fill dirt" however there are a few exceptions.

The lighter in physical weight and the straighter the grain the better. That is the reason why bamboo is such a great performer.

Technically speaking there are two "working " sides to a bow. The tension side or back and the compression side or belly. Between those two is what is known as the neutral axis whereas there is equally as much stretch as there is compression.

In theory the best performing bow would contain a wood on the back that has his stretch such as bamboo. Conversely on the belly you should use a wood with a high compression such as osage.

It has always been my findings that nobody I have ever found shoots good enough every shot to realize that difference.

Given that information I say go out and find the woods that make that bow beautiful and an expression of you.

Besides, exotic woods in bows helps keep me in business.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

Well, I decided on couple things in my bows, Red Elm has the best of both worlds with a bamboo core.
speed,stable,smooth,quiet.

Best of all worlds, I'm waiting on a nice huge of Red elm to arrive. itching to do another bow.

[TxAg]

I ordered my umpteenth bow this week....of course they are all with the same bowyer so i can't speak to anything Bob Lee related. I know each time I order, Dan goes over wood choices with me that he prefers in the riser and woods he prefers for limb veneers. The core is always bamboo. He did say that even though the limb veneers are very thin, they can add or detract from performance. As rubydog mention, I doubt I could tell a difference but I'll take Dan's word for it.

Good luck. Post pics when you get it. I'm sure it'll be a beauty.

[bk_tradguy88]

Terry knows more on bow wood than I do. I have had multiple Bob Lee's, and mostly it's cosmetic. The exception I will give to this are the models with half or full riser of phenolic. Those bows do feel notably better on the shot, and perform better. As well there is difference to notice with their stabilock limb system. The Lee's are fantastic to work with. They are a warm welcome if you want to go see and shoot plenty of bows before you order. I'm due a trip there pretty soon myself. I'm shooting a Presentation III, which has the 23" riser, half phenolic/half shedua, 66" recurve and longbow limbs with etimoe veneers. Easy on the eyes and hands.
B

[rubydog]

Well, I decided on couple things in my bows, Red Elm has the best of both worlds with a bamboo core.
speed,stable,smooth,quiet.

Best of all worlds, I'm waiting on a nice huge of Red elm to arrive. itching to do another bow.

They must be paddle boarding that piece of wood over there. I guess I should have sent it priority. Let me know when you get it Mark.

[brent.westbrook]

The heavier the riser the less hand shock you will feel.. but there isn't much in a Bob Lee anyway

[jerp]

Thanks for all the expert advice fellas - decisions, decisions....

[Draco]

Terry's explanation was about as good as you'll get. If it's a take down though, denser woods or the phenolic makes for alittle steadier hold just because it's a little heavier and they definitely have less recoil to them. Not that Bob's bows have any to begin with.

[gatorgar]

I just tell Bob (Sarrels), I want a bow at about X weight, rugged, yet nice to look at. He ain't let me down on 3 bows yet. All of them have been lookers and shooters.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

They must be paddle boarding that piece of wood over there. I guess I should have sent it priority. Let me know when you get it Mark.

Yes, I sure will, everytime I hear the my Mail Mistress pull up, I keep hoping to her her honk, which means I have some toys...errr... a package that won't fit in the mail box.
I'll get here, soon any day now.

[Buff]

I have Black widows
1 autom oak with rattle snake over lay on the limbs
3 iron wood
1 tulip wood
1 olive ash
1 bakota

they all preform about the same
Just get something pretty