Have you ever chased a ring on Hickory?

[Dean Marlow]

Went and cut a good sized Hickory a week ago and started splitting it out a couple of days ago. It was a large diameter Hickory and the sap wood would run down into the log a good 3" or more in the log. So I am splitting out some belly splits but it isn't following a growth ring. These are the straightest and cleanest Hickory staves and want to try and do something with the belly splits. Can folowing a ring be done? Dean

[Thesquirrelslinger]

This is hickory, right? I do not think you need to chase a ring.
Ask someone more experianced, but heck, its hickory.

[RyanY]

Yes! Many many times!

[DavidV]

Yeah you can follow a ring on the belly splits. Do it in good outdoor lighting so you can see the rings.

[Badly Bent]

Yeah Dean I've done it a few times due to borer damage. Slow and a pain in the @$$ but doable with patience and good lighting.

[Dean Marlow]

Alright then I will give them a coat of sealer and will give them a try one of these days.

[Squirrelslayer]

Hmm is it just me or is everyone makin hickory bows?  I know this might not apply to your situation but for my hickory bow I havnt chased a ring.  But im not makin it from a stave im making it from a "board" but im a novice so im sure someone with more experience can shed some light on the subject.  SS

[twisted hickory]

Made a kids bow by chasing a ring on some hickory heart wood and I won't do it again. It was a pain.
Bow shoots great.
Greg

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, the rings are small though. It takes patience. Jawge

[Pat B]

Those rings are gigantic compared to any hickory I have seen here. Chase a ring. 

[soy]

piece of cake! the ones closer to the bark are harder than the ones down deeper in my experience

[hedgeapple]

The first ring I ever chase was on a hickory.  I didn't know any better. I was just cleaning up the back of the bow.  About half way through, I realized I was feeling/hearing the crushing sound of ring chasing as described on this forum.  So I finished the doing the rest of the bow.  Yeah, it did take over 2 hours but it was fun back then.