Craft & Silverwing
Craft
I’ve been carving a wooden rest for a longbow and noticed a particular grain that feels very steady—do you ever use any special woods for your hunting gear?
Silverwing
I prefer the quiet strength of cedar or hickory, their grain is steady and they don’t warble under a bow’s strain. The right wood keeps your arrow true, just like a well‑tuned hunter.
Craft
Cedar and hickory are solid choices; I lean toward walnut for my arrow rests because it’s dense enough to keep its shape under load but still gives a smooth grain. Do you finish your pieces with a light oil to preserve the grain?
Silverwing
Light oil keeps the grain smooth, but I usually let the wood sit and dry; its natural finish does the job without fuss.
Craft
Sounds like a good process. Letting the wood dry really lets the grain settle before you even think about oiling. What kind of drying method do you use—air drying or a low‑heat kiln?
Silverwing
I keep it in a low‑heat kiln, it dries faster and keeps the grain from warping, so the rest stays true.