Man Buys $3,000 Worth of Exotic Woods, Makes Bow From Hardware Store Board

Recreational bowyer Dennis Froe, who has invested approximately $3,000 in exotic bow woods over the past two years, completed his first functional bow last weekend using a red oak board purchased from Home Depot for $9.47. The bow, a 50-pound board bow that Froe describes as 'not pretty but she shoots,' was completed in a single afternoon using tools he already owned. It has no chrysals, minimal set, and shoots arrows with what independent testers confirmed is 'perfectly adequate performance.' Meanwhile, Froe's collection of premium woods -- which includes Osage orange, yew, black locust, ipe, eastern red cedar, and a piece of cocobolo he drove four hours to purchase -- remains untouched in his workshop. 'I keep waiting for the right moment to start on the Osage,' Froe explained. 'It's been seasoning for eighteen months. I think it needs another six. Maybe twelve. The yew I'm saving for when I'm really good. The cocobolo is for my masterpiece.' Froe's wife, Janet, observed that 'he treats the expensive wood like fine china that's too nice to eat off of. Meanwhile, the one bow that actually exists came from the lumber aisle at Home Depot. There's a lesson in there somewhere.' Froe has since returned to Home Depot and purchased three more red oak boards, which he says are 'for practice bows.' He has not opened the cocobolo. 'The cocobolo isn't going anywhere,' Froe said. 'And when I'm ready, she'll be there.' Janet has suggested that the cocobolo would make a nice cutting board.