Ipe unbacked?

[Parnell]

Hello everyone,

I've been working with Ipe and its gone well.  I backed my first Ipe bow with poplar as it is what I had available to trim down with the table saw.  It shot well for a week but this weekend the backing splintered at 1/8th inch thickness.

Does Ipe fair well unbacked? 

I've seen the bamboo backed examples.  I want to make one. 

What's the best bet for finding the proper backing?  Hickory works well also from what I've seen but I'm in South Florida and have read hickory soaks up moisture.  Well, for anyone who's been down in south florida from May through October you know what the humidity is like. 

Better to go with bamboo?

 All thoughts and considerations welcome.

Thanks,

Parnell

[james parker]

parnell , try either one both will work,i like the boo myself.check out my site for strips,i have premium hickory strips also but the are not pictured.... if intrested let me know.....robustus

[Coo-wah-chobee]

.."Does ipe fair well uinbacked ?".................Picture is worth 1000 words ! .........bob

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[Justin Snyder]

2000 words...

[james parker]

justin ,thats super nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bcbull]

 try osage  fastest bow iv ever made is ipe / osage   brock

[Parnell]

Fellas,

Thanks for the many words of inspiration.  I'll put them to good use and then post some pics.  You've painted pictures in my head.

Parnell

[Rich Saffold]

Remember Ipe has been used in selfbow form for perhaps thousands of years by the S. American Natives. And  since you live in S. Florida its an ideal selfbow wood since it handles high humidity as good as any wood.

My last Ipe 60# selfbow "D" style is 3/4" through the grip..

Rich-made a few

[PatM]

Rich, I was looking at wood strengths online and noticed (if I read the figures correctly) that it is possible for some of these tropical woods to be marginally stronger even in compression strength at higher moisture levels.  The peak of compressive strength seems to be at what might be considered damp for normal woods. The moisture probably plumps up the compression elasticity. But you probably already knew that 

[Rich Saffold]

  Pat, first from taking an Ipe selfbow to Mojam, and then from the data like you mention. I had never felt humidity like that before, and  never felt right in it. Much harsher than living on the south part of Hawaii... So when these bows held up like nothing had changed it was quite an  epiphany.

No wonder Amazon natives wear just a loin cloth and a gourd

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Some of the best bows I've ever made are ipe with bamboo and hickory backings.