Question on Hackberry.

[Kent D.]

Ive got hackberry growing all over the place.  I have been wanting to make a self bow from it, but have never given  it a try.  Osage is also around here, so Ive never ventured into hackberry.   My question is;  Ive been told that you dont need to chase a ring with hackberry, that you can debark it and use that for the backing.  Are they talking about the cambium, or the first ring under the cambium? 

[El Destructo]

If it is Green....Peel the Bark off ....and you are good to go....if it is dry....it will be a little more of a Challenge...scrape the Bark and Cambium off....or leave a little Cambium...if you like the Design....as I do....but you do not have to chase a Ring on Hackberry....unless you mess up and violate the fist ring when debarking it....so go slow

[Kent D.]

Thanks a million.  Sounds like ive been over looking a gold mine.

[Kent D.]

One more question, when curing hackberry, do you debark after spliting and seal the back and ends?

[bambule]

If it's green - debark it. Sealing the ends is good ever I think you can't do it wrong on any wood...

[El Destructo]

                 I seal all ends and the Backs...when I debark...keeps the dehydration Process slower....less checks and splits

[Kent D.]

Thanks once agian.  I think ill go out this weekend and cut some logs.

[dantolin]

Hi,
the hackberry that I've cut in spring took a lot of reflex when reduced green to 1" deep at handle area to 3/5 at tips. So, if you don't want so much reflex, let more wood on the stave. (Hackberry here is celtis australis, the european one...I live in Spain). And if dried enough, and wide enought, it will make a good bow, sure!
David

[Kent D.]

Hi,
the hackberry that I've cut in spring took a lot of reflex when reduced green to 1" deep at handle area to 3/5 at tips. So, if you don't want so much reflex, let more wood on the stave. (Hackberry here is celtis australis, the european one...I live in Spain). And if dried enough, and wide enought, it will make a good bow, sure!
David

I like reflex.  I cant beleive Ive been ignoring hackberry all this time.  Im starting to get excited about it.

[TRACY]

Splits like elm since it's in the same family. Seal the ends and back(if bark was removed). You'll find other hackberry bows and info on a search. Good luck

Tracy

[Kent D.]

Splits like elm since it's in the same family. Seal the ends and back(if bark was removed). You'll find other hackberry bows and info on a search. Good luck

Tracy

Thanks Tracy.  I did a search but didnt find what I was looking for.  Ive now got the info I need.   

[Hillbilly]

Here's one prime example: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,9273.0.html I think he killed five deer with it last fall/winter. Can't ask for much better endorsement than that.

[Aosda]

After seeing your other post, can't wait to see what you turn out with the Hackberry.  Maybe I'll get to that level in 20 years or so

[sulphur]

its spring right now so the bark will fall off hackberry, or nearly so.  seal the back and the ends once the bark is off.  hackberry is great bow wood. one of my favorites and its super easy to work.  it steams wonderfully.  make it 2" wide and only slight longer like 66" tip to tip. 

[Badger]

Hackberry can make some excellent recurves, it is fairly light and there is literaly no wood in the world that staem bends as easily as hackberry. I used to buy every piece I could find on e ebay. It bends so easily you can make the asiatic type designs, or any other design you choose for that matter and come out looking like a pro. It is best left a little on the wide side, I like to keep mine around 2" wide for 50# bows 62" long for instance. Steve