definition of back violation- pic to be example

[armymedic.2]

i always hear about violating the back, but im not sure i have ever seen a description on what constitutes a real violation.  i can't imagine if a tiny sliver comes off, the back is now violated......or i am very very envious of others tool control.  as i was removing cambium from my hick, a couple of these tear outs arose.  the tool did not bite, it didn't even really feel different, i just noticed the little trench in its wake.    barely any wood lost in reality, but i find myself wondering if i have violated the natural back this stave had.  what say the brain trust?  i know i'm asking a lot of questions, but hey that's why we are here right?  i can't read the same four books again yet.   third time through last month was a touch arduous without any shavings on the floor.

here is the "violation" im talking about.  this is now a backed bow....or still good to go?

[lostarrow]

Doesn't look serious. Not for Hickory anyway. Do you have a nick in your blade?

[JW_Halverson]

Use a knife blade or a scraper tool to blend things in a little and you should be fine.  Grain violation starts to count up when you go thru the whole growth ring.  Sometimes on bows that the back is highly stressed, a growth ring that got extra thin can let go, too. 

Hickory is very forgiving, thankfully!

[okie64]

A ring violation is a spot where you cut all the way through the ring and into the early wood of the next ring. Hard to say from the pic if youve done that or not. Looks like that dark layer on your stave is the cambium and the whiter looking stuff is the latewood. You might try scraping that cambium off with a scraper.

[osage outlaw]

Stick with a scraper and sandpaper to get that cambium off.

[armymedic.2]

Ok cool.    Ill count my blessing on the durability of hick. My drawknife doesnt have a bur.   I really dont know why that little bit came up.   
  The dark is cambium.    I stopped for the night but will go at her again tomorrow with a knife blade instead.     I may leave some as camo cause it looks really neat with stripes of oxidized cambium. 

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.    It is highly appreciated

[Holten101]

I wouldnt worry about that at all....you will bearely notise it once the cambrium is off and the bow finished. Actually  I doubt that the tear even penetrates a single layer...even if it does I bet it wont cause a problem;-).

Cheers

[sleek]

Just clean up the back of the cambium, then when done lightly sand where the tear is and blend it it with the surrounding wood without going any deeper. That damage is going 90 degrees the wrong direction to cause you any problems, your entire back could look like woveriene got hold to it and still be ok, so long as the damage goes length wise. Its when the damage goes left and right across the limb you have bigger worries.

[armymedic.2]

You guys are the best.    So much knowledge in a place like this.     

Im often asked about my bows when people see me hunting and they always ask how i figured it out.   Internet and books is always the standard Answer. Its like being able to apprentice any trade you want.   This spring i built a flintlock. 62 cal smoothbore the same way from the ground up.    72 hours of learning and asking.   

[armymedic.2]

Before i get yelled at for no pic

 

[sleek]

Oh my! Even the squirrels gathered to worship and pray to it! That is nice. Whats the wood?

[lostarrow]

Nice thunderstick!

[armymedic.2]

Thanks     its curly maple.  Never touched it with a power tool .    Used reds and browns to finish it.   Pics never come out well of the color.....in the sun it almost makes me weep!   

[BowEd]

Nice looking full stock curly maple flint lock shooter there.Is it a .36 caliber?
Hickory will do that to you.It tears.Elm will do that to you too.Try not to get too many deep ones going.You'll be alright.Unless you put it into 12" of reflex and try to tiller it from there.......LOL.She'll go Ka Boom then....LOL.

[BowEd]

Sorry just seen it's a .62 cal.Man those squirrels look in good shape after getting hit with a .62 cal. ball.Did you bark em off the side of tree?