68” Bamboo-Backed Hickory

[Will B]

I recently finished a 68” bamboo-backed hickory bow that is 47# @ 28”. I had a very nice, seasoned hickory stave that a friend gifted me. It had a nice flat back and was pretty clean. I roughed it out as a straight pyramid 1-3/8” wide at the fades and 1/2” at the tips. I fire hardened the stave with 4” of reflex over a bed of charcoal.

I trapped the back ~1/4” to help reduce the bamboo backing some, which is likely why I came in a bit lighter than I planned. I’m still very pleased with how the bow shoots and it seems plenty fast.

I glued up the bamboo with 5” of reflex using Smooth-On EA-40 epoxy. The bamboo was stained using Fiebings leather dye. The bow was sealed with six coats of Tru-Oil and a finish coat of Spar-Urethane spray.

I received a great deal of advice on this bow from BowEd and SuperDave95 here on PA. Much appreciated!!  Thanks for looking!

[Will B]

More pics

[Will B]

More pics

[Will B]

More pics

[Will B]

Full draw

[superdav95]

Very nice Will!  So glad it worked well for ya.  It looks like you nailed it.  The hickory boo backed is a great combo.  I noticed that you glued in about an extra inch on glue up.  That the fire hardened hickory with 4” reflex.  How much of your reflex did you end up retaining?  After tiller?   I also notice that you started your reflex early on out of the fades.  I’ve been testing some theories on this myself in discussing with others on here too. I’m hoping to post some theories soon on my observations and findings.  What was the finished weight in mass of the bow in the end?   I too trapped mine a bit on the back but only very little.    Great bow dude.  Well done. 

[Will B]

Thanks Dave, and I really appreciate your help on this. My bow only retained 1-1/2” of reflex after shooting it in. I don’t have a scale to measure the weight but it feels really light…whatever that means.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Nice bow, Will. That's a tough combo that will take whatever you give it.

[Will B]

Thanks PD!

[Pat B]

Very nice bow with good tiller. The pyramid design is great but seems to be underused. With Dave's and Ed's help how could you go wrong.

[Will B]

Thanks Pat. Yes both those guys have a wealth of knowledge

[bluejack]

Hey, Great looking bow Bill-bring it along when you come up to shoot-I`ll bet it`s fast!

[bassman211]

 I know some one who will take that bow off of your hands if it is way to light for you Bill. Nice.

[bjrogg]

Looks great Will.

Definitely good teachers and a good learner too.

Bjrogg

[Will B]

Thanks fellas I appreciate your comments!