hop hornbeam (ironwood) recurves

[darknite]

My next bows will be made from hop hornbeam (ironwood). I would like to add recurves to those bows. Will the recurved areas need to be backed with something to prevent the curves from pulling out? My only experience with flipping tips is with osage, which holds recurves pretty well.

[PatM]

Not necessarily but it can be finicky to bend.

[gutpile]

as with any wood bow working recurve.. you make the curves thin enough and YES they will eventually pull out.. best bet is to make a static recurve ..where the curve doesn't bend at full draw and it there.... gut