Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: shiraforge on March 17, 2011, 07:23:02 pm

Title: first hickory bow
Post by: shiraforge on March 17, 2011, 07:23:02 pm

Hey all. new to the site just getting reinterested in making bows. I'm working with a small hickory stave and I think I compromised the single growth ring on the back. I was thinking about backing it with rawhide.  Any input helpful.

Thanks,

Matthew Shirey

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: RyanY on March 17, 2011, 07:30:12 pm

Hickory can take grain violation probably better than any other wood but there's always a limit. Without seeing a pic it's hard to say whether its necessary to back it or not. If you have enough wood you could just go down a ring. If the stave has a high crown I'd worry more than if it had a flat back. Also how does the ring violation look? Is it in one spot or does it go all the way across the back?

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 17, 2011, 09:36:16 pm

Chase a ring if you can. If you can't, back it. Jawge

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: Pappy on March 18, 2011, 08:32:53 am

What Jawge said. :) Good luck and be sure and let us know how she turnes out. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: shiraforge on March 18, 2011, 01:55:48 pm

Thanks ya'll  I let ya know what happens.   

Matthew

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: Buckeye Guy on March 18, 2011, 05:53:26 pm

Welcome to PA
Hickory will take a lot of abuse so give us a pic if you can.
It'll most likely still work but if you have plenty of thickness you can try chasing the next ring.
No mater what you will soon be addicted any way !!!

Title: Re: first hickory bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 21, 2011, 01:05:55 am

I've backed a few hickory with thin rawhide and have been pleased with the durability.  I have even picked hickory boards with a little too much grain runout for my preference and salvaged with a rawhide backing.  Since this is fairly new to you, go ahead and back it even if it is just there to keep your confidence high. 

Good luck.