Hickory heartwood backing strips?

[kiltedcelt]

I had a piece of hickory I cut up for backing strips a couple weeks ago. The piece had about 50/50 sapwood and heartwood. I was able to get two whole strips that are all sapwood or only have a little bit of heartwood on the edge which wouldn't make it onto the bow anyway. However, I have about 4 or 5 other pieces which are all heartwood. Will these still make good backing strips? I read somewhere that someone had said to steer away from the heartwood, but then again I've read of some guys making entire hickory self bows that were heartwood with no problems. So, still good to use or chuck it?

Matt

[radius]

you can take 3 or 4 of those and laminate them all together in a cool shape. 

Once i made a form that consisted of a 4x4 with peg-holes drilled in it in specific spots.  I could add or remove pegs to laminate the shape i wanted, and i used ash strips for that, i think, 3/16 thick...

giver!

[RyanY]

I don't think it should matter that it is heart wood that much. Better to use them and find out then not use them and waste. Good luck.

[Parnell]

I've found no difference between the two.