Hornbeam for back!!!

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So!
There is a claim that hornbeam is a solid like heavy maple, and whether use the back of the bow? I've never worked with this wood ..
George

[Pat B]

From my understanding hornbeam(Carpinus) is a marginal bow wood so I persomally would not use it for a backing.  Hop hornbeam(Ostrya), on the other hand, should make a pretty good backing for medium strength bow woods at least.

[druid]

Pat, is Marc St Louis working with Carpinus betulus? I saw some excellent his bows made of hornbeam.
I have a lot of hornbeam dried but not enough time to work. It seems excellent bow wood to me.

[Pat B]

I think Marc uses mostly Hop Hornbeam(Ostrya) but I'm not positive. He will have to let us know.
  I have a hornbeam(Carpinus) stave that has been drying 4 or 5 years but have never made a bow from it.

[mikekeswick]

I've made a good few hornbeam (european) bows and can report it is an excellent bow wood. I would rate it up there with any of the best. When heat treated it holds a good amount of reflex and even when not treated is still excellent. If you mean to use it as a backing then it might not be the best choice as it's back is always 'rippled'. Therefore if you cut it into backing strips the grain would be violated.

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This is the board. Not yet not cut, with very large, wide and straight ring, I do not think made a bow from this tree, but the back..
Dried from 10 years
I want to use it for heavy bows==

[mikekeswick]

It doesn't look like european hornbeam to me...at least not the stuff i've used? The wavy grain means I definately wouldn't use it for a backing. Should be good for a belly though.

[JackCrafty]

I would not risk using hornbeam for a powerful bow, especially as a backing strip.  There are other woods that are much better in tension (like bamboo and hickory).

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I would not risk using hornbeam for a powerful bow, especially as a backing strip.  There are other woods that are much better in tension (like bamboo and hickory).

Boo OK, but hickory in Bulgaria only in Mozilla and TV I can see...

[druid]

Now I am in fire. Will start one serious hornbeam bow.

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Guys, another question now for belly. You are use cumaru / amarillo / for belly of warbow.? I read posts that as like IPE