Around these parts the most common wood is mesquite. I found this link: web page saying it is 220% harder than oak. Maybe that is why the thought of chopping through a 9 inch log makes me queezy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />. If it was pine? maybe it would be a different story.

Any thoughts on this gents?

Well, like you I am surrounded by mesquite. You will find that a lot of the wood that knifemakers call "ironwood" is actually mesquite, while real "ironwood" is known as Palo Fierro as the name implies. It is indeed very hard wood, and some of it is very pretty. I've seen it from yellow to red to pink, and mesquite burl will knock your eyes out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />!

Another very hard hardwood tree found around here is the Bois D'arc tree, also known as Orange Osage, Horse Apple, or Hedge Apple. Bois D'arc makes really nice axe handle and long bows.

Maybe one of these days I'll do some kind of chop off review using not only Oak, but also Mesquite and Bois D'arc.

Just wondering. Has anyone replaced res-c or mudder with anything else on SYKC blades? Bone, wood, etc? Any custom mods? Pics?

There's a couple different trees that are called "ironwood". We have one around here, whose proper name is American Hophornbeam. Also called "musclewood" because of its strange, corded appearance. Extremely hard and resistant to splitting. Good for tool handles, if you have the patience to shape it. There's another "ironwood" from down in the tip of Florida and the islands there, called Lignum Vitae; the tree of life. It's so dense that it won't float! Beautiful stuff, though scary expensive nowadays.

The hardest woods around here that I know of is Osage Orange and Locust wood, I'm not sure how it compares to Mesquite though. Mesquite sounds like some very tough stuff. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I've used Locust for knife handles in the past and they worked out real well, I also have a Locust Bow staff seasoning in the barn and have intended to make a bow out of it eventually, but haven't gotten around to it yet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I've got two pieces of bow wood laying around... black locust, and black walnut. I'm too chicken to wade in and get working though. My first attempt at a bow was pretty miserable. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Bruce - those handles DO look nice! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It does take a lot of work and attention to detail. I spent days hunting just the right piece, and then hung it carefully in the barn. Knowing what's going to be involved and other priorities have kept me from starting as well. I used to know a guy that made very nice long bows from cedar, I even have a couple, haven't seen him in years though. I wish I have the time to look him up and get some inspiration and advice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bob Lee makes my favorite traditional bows.