What do you consider the fastest design of ipe and bamboo combination?

[maitus]

So?

[TimothyR]

Bamboo backed Ipe

[BowEd]

If Badger would read this I'm sure he could tell ya.He's been in those waters with that combo a bunch.

[maitus]

Bamboo backed Ipe

Of course bamboo backed Ipe, but what design ?

[maitus]

If Badger would read this I'm sure he could tell ya.He's been in those waters with that combo a bunch.

I hope he will read .

[RyanY]

Fastest currently or in general? I could be wrong but I think bamboo backed ipe bows have claimed flight records in multiple categories with different designs. Probably depends more on how well built it is than specific design. R/D, holmegaard/mollegabet, and ELB styles of bamboo backed ipe bows can all shoot extremely well.

[willie]

I am curious if many think the success of this combo is an indication of the importance to consider the amount of work done by the backing of the bow?

[PatM]

So?

 A static recurve, just like every other wood or combo of wood-like materials.

  Of course you have to splice to make this happen in the above scenario.

[bownarra]

Recurve, a proper one
Ipe quality varies quite a bit. It is being quick grown now to supply the decking market, big difference between the quick grown and an old tree.
Kerf your recurves to get them to bend, make sure the 'left behind slices' are no more than a 1/16th thick. Hopefully the grain doesn't have any wiggles at the curves. Soak them in water for a day or two to help them bend to the form. It won't do much for ipe but will help a little. I would also boil them underwater and do a bending session without glue first. Use something like walnut for the filler lam.

[maitus]

So?

 A static recurve, just like every other wood or combo of wood-like materials

People claim that Ipe is not easy to bend to make recurves? I have made one boo backed Ipe ELB, but I wasn't very happy with it.

[PatM]

That's why I recommend splicing them in from an easily bent wood, just as they are done for a horn bow.

[maitus]

It worth a try .

[Badger]

Ipe is hard to bend so I don't like to get too fancy with it. I like the boo backed ipe in a mild r/d design. Maybe glue it up with 3" reflex. Even with that I would still recommend kerfing the outer 10" or so. If I go for too much reflex I end up getting too much bend toward the center of the limb which I never like. 

[bownarra]

Yes spliced in tips are likely the best way.

[maitus]

What kind of wood would You use for spliced recurves to make them as light as possible and strong enough? I remind you that I live in Europe .
Thank you for the previous answers.