Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Shadow Walker on September 26, 2009, 09:13:01 pm

Title: bark backing results
Post by: Shadow Walker on September 26, 2009, 09:13:01 pm

O.K, IT WORKS!!!
I backed my 48" ironwood  reflex deflex bow with ironwood bark. Upon doing a few tests , I discovered that6 it has remarkable tensile AND compression strenght.
I am going to use it on the belly of my bow as well. It should be noted that my glue-ups were all done with hide glue ( not knox gelatin, but actual deer hide glue)
I really feel this is a pertinant point in this application, as I have not tried any other glues yet.
I have never posted pics on here yet, but I'm going to try to post a close-up of the effect. It's definately an awesome camo!!
I will post pics of the bow at full draw when I am finshed tillering.(http://)

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: youngbowyer33 on September 26, 2009, 09:14:11 pm

sounds good

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Pat B on September 26, 2009, 10:56:14 pm

That's good to know. Looking forward to your pics and further comments.

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Dano on September 26, 2009, 10:59:29 pm

What kind of draw length you getting out of this bow?

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Shadow Walker on September 26, 2009, 11:33:43 pm

I have done 3 bows out of ironwood. 2 are asiatic style and one reflex deflex ( not including the one I'm working on now) Allk 3 are 48 inches long and they are handling a 28" draw lenght with ease.( gotta love ironwood!) the two asiatic style bows are pulling 45 pounds. the reflex deflex ( my wife's bow ) is pulling around 38 to 40 pounds.
The one I'm working on now (with the bark backing ) ,, I'm aiming for 50 pound pull at 28 inches.
If I can get a handle on how to post pics properly, I'll certainly do that.

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Pat B on September 26, 2009, 11:57:48 pm

Which iron wood are you referring too, hop hornbeam or hornbeam or one of the other ironwoods?

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Shadow Walker on September 27, 2009, 12:06:50 am

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's eastern hophorn. At least that's the closest I can find on the internet. All I can say for sure is that it is one of the "hornbeam" species. I'll tell you one thing, it was a hell of a lot easier to cut in the spring than it was last week!

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Pat B on September 27, 2009, 12:11:52 am

If it has a smooth bark it is hornbeam and if it has a somewhat shaggy bark it is hop hornbeam.
Hornbeam is also called musclewood because of the sinewy, muscular look to the tree trunk.

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Shadow Walker on September 27, 2009, 12:14:45 am

Here's the bark backed detail photo - close up.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: bark backing results
Post by: Shadow Walker on September 27, 2009, 12:21:36 am

The bark is not smooth at all. It has long rough parts that seem to "lift" or "curl" at the ends. The trees I have been using are roughly ' in diam.
On the bigger trees the bark is even rougher.