Should I back It?

[jthompson1995]

Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to the forum, but made my first bow (hickory selfbow, 66" ntn, 55#@26") and am hooked.

I'm working on my second bow and have a question.  It's a red oak board bow with Bolivian rosewood riser and tip overlays and I'm wondering if I need to back it.  The board is from homedepot and the grain is pretty much perfectly straight, even 1/8" rings, the rings on the end grain are at about 45 degrees and it only had 2 rings run off the edge on a 6' length, no swirls or waves.  I wasn't planning on buying any wood there, but I couldn't pass up this piece.

I bought some navy blue linen to back it as I had seen many red oak board bows with some kind of backing, linen mostly.  As I've been reading posts on PA, I've seen a bunch of recommendations that, if red oak is straight enough, it doesn't need a backing.  The oak is gorgeous and I don't know if I want to cover the grain on the back if I don't have to.  Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

[Pat B]

Not all board bows need a backing. It depends on the grain, not only the end grain or the run offs(or lack of them) along the back but also the side grain. Even with a linen backing a bow is noy immune to breakage. These backings just give you a bit more of a chance for success.
  Check out George Tsoukalas' site about board bows. He goes into the proper grain configuration for board bows.

[sulphur]

if your board is as good as you say, probably ok without backing.  however if you do back it with the linen it would give some insurance and confidence.  I m sure you put lots of time and effort in it.  BTW were going to need some pics.  its the rules!!!

[jthompson1995]

Thanks for the advice.  The grain is tright down the sides of the board as well.  I might back it just in case and it might end up looking pretty cool anyway.