The Perils of Using Kiln-Dried Wood

Quite a while ago, I discovered my interest in bow making. I took out several books out of the library, most of them being survival books. Making a survival bow is quite different than making a bow on the workbench--as a life-or-death situation requires speed not necessarily quality.

I had read from multiple sources that wood was better for bow-making when dried to 7-10% moisture level. Although kiln-dried wood dries to around 7%, it's done rapidly, making the wood brittle and unfit for making bows with. My idea was that 7% moisture content, kiln-dried or not, was ideal. Well, I eventually broke that bow trying to make an arrow rest in it. Later that same day, my dad and I went to the library. I pulled out the only book on the subject and started reading. There it was, plain as day...

. . . if someone tries to convince you to use kiln dried wood for a bow, you should wave your arms and make  horrible faces. If that doesn't scare him off, be prepared to run for your life. Kiln dried wood is brittle and will NOT make a bow . . . Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans by Jim Hamm

I sure learned that lesson. The bow I made did bend nicely and I was able to string it and shoot a quite a few arrows with it. But once I cut that arrow rest, it cracked and broke. Thankfully, it broke on the tiller stick, not in my hands (ouch).

Also, I've gotten a resource page up now where you can find videos, articles, and books I've read. I'm going to be updating it periodically as I go, so check it out!