Hi, all. In the process of debarking this hickory stave, I'm pretty sure I have violated the back in a dozen places, though I'm not sure about that. Does ANY wood coming off violate the back? I have definitely removed some slivers. I think I'm not ready to chase a ring on osage just yet. ha ha
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yv_7YT3O4M4/YJhuG0MdXwI/AAAAAAAADpg/JpD_hjgQoDM3LiJ8205-27RfMqk-_kiuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210509_170639%255B1%255D.jpg)
So, apart from my drawknife blundering, this is a flawless stave and I really want to get a shooter out of it. I've read that, at least sometimes, violated growth rings aren't a huge deal with hickory. But I really want a bow that I know isn't going to explode on me. I have a couple nice pieces of rawhide looking for a home: Can I simply flatten out the back and rawhide back it?
What says the PA oracle?
T