Split locust sapling

[Cacatch]

I have a black locust sapling that at the base is only about 2 inches in diameter, and only has about an inch of heartwood or less. My question is, has anyone ever split a BL sapling like this and used the split heartwood as the back, and left it unbacked? If so, how did it turn out?  My idea is to make an eastern woodlans bendy-handle bow from this, and I'd like to leave it unbacked, but have the back flat.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
CP

[Pat B]

I haven't made one but if I did I'd use the wood under the bark as the back and tiller from the split side. An Eastern Woodland style would be my choice also.

[George Tsoukalas]

Too small to split. Use a hatchet. Leave the bark on if you remove it poly the back. Poly the ends pronto. Remove the bark and that will be the back. My first shooter was a made from  a BL sapling. Jawge

[gmc]

How thick are the growth rings in the wood?

[Cacatch]

Thanks Pat and George. I know that's the easiest and most logical way to go about it. I was just thinking that the back really needed to be flat for optimal performance, but maybe not.

GMC, Pretty thin... Only about 1/8" at the widest.

I might start working on it this weekend and if so, I'll try again to figure out how to post pics.

Thanks for all responses.

CP

[George Tsoukalas]

No need to decrown. Just leave it an inch or 2 longer than you normally do for your bows. Jawge

[Eric Garza]

George is giving good advice.  No need to decrown, and black locust sapwood is fine for bows so no need to focus on the heartwood.  Take your time with this bow, and you will get something you can be proud of.

[Cacatch]

Thanks for the good advice guys. That's what I'll do, just leave the back alone. Sounds better that way anyhow, doesn't it. I really don't like the idea of messing with a bows back anyway, since I don't back any of my bows and I'm afraid of compromising the back's integrity. The only reason I was thinking about it was because I thought it was the way to optimize the performance of an eastern woodland style BL bow. But apparently not. Hopefully I can post some pictures.

I think you're right Eric, I feel like I will be quite proud of this bow. Thanks for the encouraging words.

George, the extra couple inches won't be a problem either, since I cut this stave plenty long for me. I think I'll leave it about 66" NTN.

Thanks again,
CP

[George Tsoukalas]

What's your draw length?

[Cacatch]

About 27".