Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Sagebrush on April 24, 2020, 11:52:27 am

Title: Backing serviceberry
Post by: Sagebrush on April 24, 2020, 11:52:27 am

Hello all.  I live in central Washington where occasionly I can find a good stick of serviceberry to work with. I had a two year old log that was about  4 and a 1/2 inches in diameter and so I am making one self bow that is up to floor tiller and I have two half inch strips of bandsaw cut boards. This stuff is so stiff it is unbelievable.  I have quality bamboo and quarter sawn home depot Maple and was wondering if anybody had any experience or thoughts.  Thanks guys.

Title: Re: Backing serviceberry
Post by: simson on April 25, 2020, 01:01:59 am

I have made some bows out of saskatoon, but all as selfbows. Here in my homeland it is very hard to find staves that are not twisted like hell. For backing I would try a thin bamboo slat.

Title: Re: Backing serviceberry
Post by: Sagebrush on April 26, 2020, 12:21:17 am

Thanks Simpson!  This was the conclusion I had come to as well.  I Thinned out some boo strips today.  I'm thinking the combination is going to be unbelievably stiff.  I will post some results in a week or two.  Again, thank you for your thoughts.

Title: Re: Backing serviceberry
Post by: Bryce on April 26, 2020, 12:33:02 am

Yep serviceberry is a great bow wood. Doesn’t really need a backing

Title: Re: Backing serviceberry
Post by: Gordon on April 26, 2020, 01:40:48 pm

I have made several bows out of serviceberry and my experience is that it does not require a backing.

Title: Re: Backing serviceberry
Post by: DC on April 26, 2020, 02:59:27 pm

Quote from: Gordon on April 26, 2020, 01:40:48 pm

I have made several bows out of serviceberry and my experience is that it does not require a backing.

Me too :)