How much crowning for a hickory board?

[txdm]

I am planning my next hickory board bow and I'd like to try crowning the back to reduce set that results from overpowering the belly.

Based on the below reference, what would be a good amount of rounding/crowning to try for?



My last hickory board bow was like #1, and it took a couple of inches of set (with toasting)

[PatM]

None of those.  You want the back narrower than the belly.

[willie]

ie trapezoid

[txdm]

Wow, thanks yall... so something more like one of these would be better?

[StickMark]

# 7 is what I use, always.

[willie]

txdm,

just remember that you will be asking more of the back the more you trap. hickory can be a excellent performer when dry, but the back strength drops off if it is too dry, while the belly keeps getting stronger

[txdm]

Thanks, I'm very glad I asked about this.

I am planning a 62" ntn that is 2" at the fades, down to 1-3/4" midway, then down to 1/2 at the tips. That's a bit wider than I've done before.

If I were to go with #7 style, I would try keep the back around or a little more than half of the width of the belly. Not sure if I should have the angled sides only slope partway down or all the way down to the belly... a true trapezoid would be 4 sides.

How does all that sound?

[StickMark]

now that I really look at it, maybe something between 6 and 7, 6.5 or so.  And the edges are still sanded that "pea"  roundness, so the cross section is not a true trapezoid. Interested in what others think.