Bamboo backed ERC

[Lee Lobbestael]

Has anybody made a bamboo backed eastern red cedar bow? Is this a good combo? I have never used erc but have heard that it has poor tension strength. How is it under compression?

[dragonman]

I would say erc is definately too soft to back with bamboo. the harder belly wood the better to match the strength of the bamboo

[blackhawk]

I've heard to trap the boo with this combo,or make your boo super thin or both, but never done it myself. But I have made a hickory backed ERC that worked out well.

[sonny]

I sent some billets to a guy in Germany several years ago and he tried it with a sinew backing but the
drying sinew pulled the sapwood up away from the heartwood. He then decrowned it and backed with bamboo,
said it was one of the best combos he had ever used.
I wish I knew the details but it's been too long to remember- I know he made a flatbow but have no idea of the
length, width........wish I was more help.
 

[M-P]

I've only made one bberc, but it is a killer bow in looks and performance.   The limbs were wide so the backing was fairly thick.   I did trap the backing so only ~ the center 1/3 of the backing still had the  "power fibers"   Ron

[mullet]

 I've made one also. It's still shooting five years later.