Recurve ERC???

[sleek]

Any tips or pointers on how to recurve erc, can it be done?

[Pat B]

A good sinew backing. If not a face shield, helmet and athletic cup. 

[silent sniper]

I would build it with some type of backing whether it be sinew or wood/bamboo backing. I haven’t built an ERC recurve but I have had luck with a hickory backed ERC Longbow I built.
Cheers,
Taylor

[Stickhead]

I’ve never had any luck getting ERC to bend much with either steam or dry heat.  If you’re able to do it, I’d love to know how.

[Mafort]

Steam it longer than you normally would. ERC is a type of juniper. Works great with a sinew backing and here in Kentucky there’s a lot of it around. Smells great, looks great and polished to a beautiful sheen.

[sleek]

My plan is to bamboo back it.

[DC]

When you are roughing it out try and keep a piece about the size of one tip. Then use that for a test bend using the same thickness, the same caul etc. etc.

[Ricardovanleeuwen]

Maybe you could try to cut some kerfs and bend it with steam.

[PatM]

 Splice in tips of wood of known good bendability and back it with a better choice.

[sleek]

Splice in tips of wood of known good bendability and back it with a better choice.

Back it with a better choice? I thought bamboo is a good backing? Especially for ERC?

[loefflerchuck]

Haha! Some funny comments on here. Junipers are very easy to steam bend when green. When it is fully seasoned it is too brittle for any sharp recurves. However it soaked up water quickly. Soak the wood you want to bend when it is near bow size for just 3 days. Then steam it for 20-30 min and it is like rubber. Keep it in the form for at least a week since you rehydrated the wood. Unless you used ring aligned compression or tension wood that will not warp.

[gutpile]

when I recurve wood  I boil it.. 15 min per 1/4 inch... must do curve very quickly once removed.. gut