Ipe. kids bow..

[hawkbow]

I am building an Ipe bow for a young kid.. 60 inch bow,.. anyway it is coming out great and seems to bend evenly on the tiller.. my question is ..this is a straight grained board bow.. Do I need to back it to keep it from breaking? poundage is going to be about 30# at 26..it seems fine so far, I am still scraping to get my final tiller... thanks for any input! Hawk

[Josh]

I have seen unbacked Ipe bows here before, and you say the grain is straight so I would just go for it and shoot the heck outta it before I give it to the child.  I think i would also put a linen cloth backing on it at least just to be safe.  It is going to a kid afterall... they can be pretty tough on stuff sometimes.    -josh

[Parnell]

I think it would be a good idea, Hawk.  I've made a few, one without a backing that was a succesful shooter.  The grain was straight and out of nowhere with an arrow knocked - whamo!  Ipe splinters are nasty stuff, too.  I'm sure you know.

[knightd]

Back it... just for Peace of mind

[mullet]

 I think I'd back it with silk or rawhide, just to be safe.

[Lombard]

Where are the photos?

[hawkbow]

I backed it with elk hide.. and am waiting for it to dry.. thanks guys .. will post pics later ..Hawk

[Jesse]

Cool never seen an elk backed ipe before. Good idea to back it. Like mentioned it would most likely be fine but Kids will test the limits of durability.