backing question

[Tortoise]

My bow in progress is osage (board) backed with hickory. Does a certain layer need to go over the hickory to prevent that from lifting splinters, or am I all set with finish? 

[Bryce]

Hickory is very tension strong. You shouldn't have any splinters lift up on yah

[Pat B]

Generally hickory is sound as a sawn backing. I have made quite a few hickory backed osage bows and never had a backing failure. You are dealing with natural materials so anything can happen but I would worry.

[mikekeswick]

Sure hickory 'sticks' together well but it depends on how well the backing strip was chosen....grain orientation/straightness is paramount!
DO NOT think that just because it's hickory it won't lift a splinter...if the grain is violated enough it will!

[Tortoise]

The grain is pretty fair on the piece I chose, it'll probably work out.

[Pappy]

I agree with Mike,hickory is tough but not bullet proof when rings are violated
or run off the edge. 
   Pappy

[lesken2011]

Pappy is right. Remember the Hickory backed ipe that was my first trade bow. The hickory had a little swirl in it that I thought I could get away with which popped a huge splinter, so the straighter the grain, the better!!


By the way, I re-glued the splinter area and wrapped it with artificial sinew and the bow is still shooting today.