Backpack challenge bow 2.0

[autologus]

Here is going to be try #2.  This attempt will be from a stave, it is Parsley Hawthorn that has been cured for about a year and a half.  This stuff will teach you some lessons on preparing your wood for curing.  This stuff will check like crazy if not sealed good and I am talking about long deep cracks often in a spiral so seal it well and let it cure slowly.

It is 40" long and about 0.7" thick and 1.75" wide and has about 2" reflex, the stave has one knot on the side that I think will be gone when the limbs are reduced in thickness and there is one nipple on the back but will be dead center of the limb so I don't think it will be a problem.  The thing is I have never worked Hawthorn and don't really know how to go about design.  I do know this stuff is dense, any advice on how to design it properly and any pitfalls I should be aware of will be greatly appreciated.

Grady

[Aaron H]

That's a lot of reflex in such a short piece.

[bubby]

Yeah I don't think reflex and 40" ntn is two things that go together , prove me wrong

[autologus]

I am going to give it a go, it will either bend or it will break. 

Grady

[IdahoMatt]

Good luck Grady.  Looks like a fun challenge.   

[Crogacht]

I am going to give it a go, it will either bend or it will break. 

Grady

Maybe both! 

Goodluck Grady

[autologus]

Anyone have any design advice on this stave, or any advice on using Hawthorn?

Grady

[autologus]

Here is the fate of version 2.0, I had it braced and was working on getting the tiller straightened out and had it out to 13 inches when crack it popped a splinter just behind the nipple on the back.  Maybe I will have better luck with version 3.0. The first pic is the splinter and the second pic is going to be version 3.0.

Grady

[TRACY]

Looks like that crack will take the whole bottle of superglue but might be worth it. Doesn't look like it's running off the edge, especially at 13" already with only a little more to go. Never worked hawthorn so not sure how it bends. Good luck

Tracy

[Marc St Louis]

Growth rings are very fine with Hawthorne so you have to remove the bark very carefully.

[autologus]

Yeah, I used a bunch of CA glue but it popped again I think there was a nick in the back near that limb like Marc said.  Oh well I have two more in the works one hickory the other ash backed ERC.

Grady