Hickory Board Question

[johnston]

Just picked up an order of hic boards and was wondering about
the grain. I have seen online sellers that had hic good enough
for self bows and other hic that they sold cheaper for backed
bows.

How bad can the grain be for a backed Hickory board bow?
Thanks.

Lane

[PEARL DRUMS]

Tough question to answer. My experinece with backed and unbacked hickory tells me to watch for extra sharp run ups or outs. I have made a few bows with both run ups and outs that are fine, actually I never have broke a hickory bow of any sort. If you can fine a board with relativley straight grain you can probably tie it knots.

[Buckeye Guy]

I may have to agree with PD ?!!! Oh no !!
Hickory is tough stuff !
Try it you'll like it !!
Guy

[PEARL DRUMS]

Thanks Guy! Nobody ever agrees with me. Im flattered!

[George Tsoukalas]

Max of 2 run outs per limb is what I look for in a potential selfbow board. I wouldn't buy a board I couldn't choose. Jawge

[johnston]

But Mr. T out of the four 4"x1"x 10 foot hic boards I received there are 19 straight grained staves
and many more than that that are useable w/backing. By my math I will have $3.11 in the really
good staves and all else is free. I like free.

These fellers own an almost fully automated cabinet shop and one huge table has racks down
both sides full of red/white oak, maple, birch and sometimes hickory or cherry pieces that are
2 1/2" by 8 foot and to them all of it is scrap. They pay somebody to haul it off. If I call and that
machine is not in use I can pick through for free or at any time I can just load up and go through
it at home. For free. I am real happy about this development.

Lane

[Parnell]

I've made hick board bows with ridiculous runoff.  They were my first bows and they shot fine.  They did break over time.  I found a perfectly straight grained board cut it mostly for backing strips but saved a 5/8 section and made a good bend through the handle bow with pencil tips.  I'd follow Jawge's advice for a durable bow and I'll add - give the belly a grade A heat treating before the tillering and mid-way through.  Just my 2 cents.

[johnston]

Thanks Parnell,Pearlie, Jawge and Buckeye.

I don't know how to edit but in my last post it should read 1" x 10" x 10 ft. Sorry.

Lane

[George Tsoukalas]

johnston, that's awesome. You did well. I'm just saying that even great cabinet makers don't understand what a bowyer needs. May be a self bowyer who sells boards would. I'm just super picky with boards. Jawge

[Buckeye Guy]

johnston, that's awesome. You did well. I'm just saying that even great cabinet makers don't understand what a bowyer needs. May be a self bowyer who sells boards would. I'm just super picky with boards. Jawge

Jawge
I am super picky with boards
I have worked in a cabinet shop for 25 years and I still have not found a red oak board  that I would try to get a selfbow out of !
Now hickory thats a differant story my friend!!
Guy