Hickory bow questions

[CherokeeKC]

I know that hickory is very forgiving if you violate a ring on the back of a bow.  What about following the grain?  Im goin for a Cherokee style flat bow.  So the handle tapers from 1 3/8 to 3/4(maybe 7/8) at tips.  To get this taper there is no way to follow the grain all the way down the limb.  Is there a rule as to how many grain runoffs are acceptable/safe for a bow limb?

[DEllis]

Narrowing toward the tips will have no effect on durability......especially with tension strong woods like hickory but will increase speed and decrease hand shock. It is standard procedure. Best of luck.
Darcy

[Pat B]

Pics would help me understand your situation. Are you dealing with a snakey stave or one with crooks in it?
If you follow the grain and narrow the limb to this, gradually tapering the limb as you go, you should have no problems.

[1776J]

I'm curious as well as I'm working up a Hickory bow these days. 
I'd like to see what you're looking at as well.

[CherokeeKC]

Here are some pics of the log then split into two staves.  The log was pretty straight.  There a couple knots on the stave I'm working on now.  I have cut some width off with a hatchet and you can see how I've laid out the bow.

[CherokeeKC]

Heres the other end of the stave.  One end is a lot thicker because it was the bottom of the tree.

[Auggie]

Is this green,or dry? Got the bark off yet? With the bark off you'll be able to see what you're working with,and layout from there. Then I don't think you'll have to worry about runoff.

[sailordad]

i wouldnt lay out the bow on the belly side
as you are unable to follow the longitudial grain that way
remove the bark,then find your cent line and follow the grain with it

[Pat B]

Your stave looks good so far. Time to taper the thickness to get it bending.
  You asked about a violated knot on the back. Violated knots can be trouble. Do you have a pic?  Sometimes you can add superglue and it will help hold it together.

[CherokeeKC]

This is the one knot that I'm worried I cut too short when I cut the tree down.



The bark is still on right now.  I guess my next step is to take the bark off.  I read in another thread that some people leave the cambium or part of the cambium on for a camo effect.  Is this safe?

[George Tsoukalas]

I think you are talking about the width taper and that is ok. Don't worry about it. Take your time removing the bark so violating rings will not be an issue. I am not convinced that violating rings in any wood is ok. I've chased rings on hickory and it is not easy. Jawge

[crooketarrow]

   I agree with GEORGE I always use the back of the stave ALWAYS. You can get away with run offs but why worry about it. Hickorys my favoret selfbow wood.

[CherokeeKC]

Ok thanks guys!  crooketarrow this is my first bow so I really don't know what to worry about and what not to...lol

[Pat B]

Get the bark off so you can see the bows back. Then you can make better decissions. That knot shouldn't be a problem if you work around it properly and it will be a cool feature of your bow.

[CherokeeKC]

Ok ill probably get to taking the bark off this weekend.  What is a good thickness to start with for a Cherokee style flat bow made of hickory?  Ill reduce to this thickness with a hatchet and then a farriers rasp.