HHB question

[Blaflair2]

If I made a hickory or bamboo backed HHB what dimensions would I wanna use? And would u guys use the boo or the hickory? Bendy handle I'd like to be around 60"-62"

[koan]

I have been wantin to do the same thing.. I have a bunch of hickory slats so thats what im gonna use.. Imo hhb is my new osage..really good stuff and loves the heat gun. Im gonna start at 1 1/4 -1 3/8 straight taper to 3/8 tips and 64" long. I dont know if thats the best plan but i have no doubts that it wil work good.... Brian

[Blaflair2]

I might have to make a tri lam because the "board" is cut from a stave and i don't know what I can get outta it

[Jim Davis]

Unless the hornbeam is damaged on the back, there is no advantage to backing it. Hornbeam and nearly all other woods are three to four times stronger in tension than compression. With its outside growth ring intact, hornbeam will always fail first in compression.

Make the limbs at least a couple of inches wide at the fades and follow your favorite design from there.

Jim Davis

[PatM]

The potential advantage would be in gluing up in Perry reflex. Otherwise I'd just make a 60 inch D bow with a slight heat treated reflex.
  A bit over 1 3/8 wide will do.

[Blaflair2]

Someone gave it to me, the back was already all mucked up so I flattened it so I could back it. It's basically a board now

[DarkSoul]

The width of any bow is to a great extend determined by the desired draw weight. So what draw weight are you aiming for?

[Blaflair2]

55-60

[blackhawk]

If I was using boo or hickory to back hhb I'd trap the back some...BUT I've never done it so take it for what its worth...ask Marc...he's made more backed hhb bows than anybody...I've seen him use ash quite a bit with it....I think maple wood do well to with it...elm as well maybe?

Sinew??? I have sinew backed it with decent success...had one break tho,but that was my fault   

[PatM]

Marc has used Ash, Maple and Elm to back HHB.