Birch for a sinew backed recurve?

[nailbender]

 I'm still kind of green on this bow building stuff. I've made some lumber bows and a couple from tree staves, and though I'm still at the novice stage, I'm looking for a change of pace from straight stave bows. So, I've decided to try my hand at a sinew backed static recurve. I've got a bunch of paper birch staves ready to go. I've also got couple HHB staves and a couple oak staves, but since I've got about 15 birch staves on hand, I'd really like to use those for my first experiments. Is paper birch a viable option for a sinew backed recurve? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[Marc St Louis]

Never tried White Birch but I did make this sinew backed Yellow Birch static recurve many years ago

[Easternarcher]

Marc, how did that Yellow Birch bow work out for you anyhow?

I plan on trying it this winter. Likely Hickory backed tho.

[DanaM]

Welcome to PA nailbender, not sure how the birch and sinew will work but am interested
to see if it does and how well. Where ya from?

[Marc St Louis]

That bow pound for pound turned out to be one of the fastest bows I ever made and would shoot a 10 gpp arrow at 185 fps. The wood works easily and is strong.  I haven't used that bow in years and the last time I braced it, which was about 4 years ago the tiller was off.

[nailbender]

Thanks Marc, I think I'll give it a shot. By the way, what were the dimensions of that bow? Just like to have an idea where to start. Dana, I am from Brainerd, Minnesota. Thanks for the welcome. I really like this site and I am continually impressed by the bows alot of you guys turnout. I can only hope that someday I will be able to craft something that will compare. Dale.

[Marc St Louis]

Dale
That bow was 62" long with 2" wide limbs and was tillered to just over 50# @ 28". For White Birch I would go a bit longer but keep the same width limbs