oak longbows?

[mar91773]

I found a "U finish it" longbow kit. It is made of oak. Anyone know how well oak would work for a longbow. I have never heard of an oak longbow.
Here is the link.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0309&rd=1&rd=1
Thanks
Ronnie

[TXJon]

I have made a few self bows from red and white oak. My experience has been that they end up taking a set pretty badly. I am NO kind of expert, so maybe I am the problem.

It could be that if you back it with something you could avoid the set, but then it's not a "ready to finish" bow any more.

[kdc331]

What does "taking a set" mean? I have just got the long bow bug after years of compound bows.

[stikshooter]

It means the bow follows the string,in other words when you unstring the bow it will not be straight,but will still have some memory(bend)like when it was strung.

[tinman]

Check out the U-Finish bows at Rudderbows. They have some in hickory and osage with bamboo backing, probably better than the oak for a 40#+ bow, IMO.

I use Red Oak for the kid's bows that I build but haven't had much success with bows over 15#s or so.

[Tejas Raz]

Buddy of mine has an oak selfbow at 55#. It did take a set after initial shooting, but then settled in and shoots well. It's a heavy limbed bow though and really lets you know when you've loosed the string!

I have a hickory bow and it's much nicer in performance and manners than his oak one. I'd recommend the hickory!

[Restless]

https://www.dryadbows.com

https://www.pinehollowlongbows.com

have a look at these

[mar91773]

Thanks

thanks everyone. I have decided to go in a different direction. I found the rudder bow site and like some of thier bows. I'm currently goin back n forth on a recurve to longbow. I have shot both..... like them both..... if the wife would allow it id just buy both ! but that aint gonna happen so Im just waitin to find something that just feels right. It will all fall into place some how.
Thanks for the input
Ronnie