Sassafras stave one or two bows?

[coaster500]

I've been off work for a week so I've been playing at bow building. I have a Hackberry that is rehydrating so I decided to chew on a Sassafras stave today. Man talk about instant gratification!!! This stuff slices like butter. I and almost finished with a 71" ELB but have enough wood left for a second bow but it's all heart. The Elb is about 50@27 and seem plenty strong (I shot about 30 arrows thru it today)? I've heard that Sassafras needs to be backed but it feels ok? Can I make another bow with just the heartwood left?

[Pat B]

Give it a try and let us know. I made a sass bow years ago but it was before I knew how. 

[coaster500]

I still don't know how,  just sorta happens 

Should I back the ELB?

Sure has some pretty wood, hate to cover it?

[Pat B]

If the back is clean I'd say let it be.  Sassafras was one of the woods the Thompson Bros used while hunting in the Southeast in "The Witchery of Archery".

[Dazv]

that bow looks great any chance of a full draw pic?

[crooketarrow]

  I've made sassafras bows and never backed mine. I've only made one bow from heart wood but it worked out fine.

[coaster500]

I just got done shooting it a bit more. It took about 1" of set but it started with about 1/2 of natural deflex. The tiller came out pretty good but as I was shooting it settled into a bit of a hinge on the bottom limb. It's not huge but you can se it. It shoots well and I don't want it any weaker. Maybe it's just me but these bend thru the handle bows, short or long shoot very well for me. It's un-backed and giving no sign that it may blow so it is staying that way...

I'll keep the other piece of Sass in the wings to keep me off a bow that needs rest....  Seems I need some butter to whittle to stave off my impatience

I'll post a shooter video after the finish is dry...