Hickory Backing Strips

[Bevan R.]

Up until now, all the hickory backing strips I've used have been white sapwood. I just got an order in that is almost all tan heartwood. Anyone ever back a bow with hickory heartwood? My one experience with the tan heartwood was that is was brittle. Not something I would think of as a plus in a bow backing.

[sulphur]

i've tried it.  ABSOLUTELY no good results to report.  I wouldn't try again.  I have had decent luck with pecan heartwood.  although pecan is not as strong as hickory in any way.  i say go with the sapwood and have some confidence.

[Grunt]

I had some straight grained hickory boards that were mostly heartwood. Had to back them with a sapwood strip. If I ordered hickory backing strips and I got heartwood I would return them. Sure it isn't waterstained sapwood?

[Bevan R.]

Yes, sure they are heartwood because one has a white edge along one side where the whitewood was. I have gotten water stained white hickory before (and loved it by the way) and this looks nothing like that.