Author Topic: Hickory Backing Strips  (Read 2753 times)

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Offline Bevan R.

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Hickory Backing Strips
« on: June 14, 2010, 09:20:47 pm »
Up until now, all the hickory backing strips I've used have been white sapwood. I just got an order in that is almost all tan heartwood. Anyone ever back a bow with hickory heartwood? My one experience with the tan heartwood was that is was brittle. Not something I would think of as a plus in a bow backing.
Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.

Offline sulphur

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Re: Hickory Backing Strips
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2010, 10:52:35 pm »
i've tried it.  ABSOLUTELY no good results to report.  I wouldn't try again.  I have had decent luck with pecan heartwood.  although pecan is not as strong as hickory in any way.  i say go with the sapwood and have some confidence.

Grunt

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Re: Hickory Backing Strips
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2010, 11:14:11 pm »
I had some straight grained hickory boards that were mostly heartwood. Had to back them with a sapwood strip. If I ordered hickory backing strips and I got heartwood I would return them. Sure it isn't waterstained sapwood?

Offline Bevan R.

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Re: Hickory Backing Strips
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2010, 12:03:56 am »
Yes, sure they are heartwood because one has a white edge along one side where the whitewood was. I have gotten water stained white hickory before (and loved it by the way) and this looks nothing like that.
Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.