Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Tortoise on October 05, 2012, 02:20:35 am

Title: backing question
Post by: Tortoise on October 05, 2012, 02:20:35 am

My bow in progress is osage (board) backed with hickory. Does a certain layer need to go over the hickory to prevent that from lifting splinters, or am I all set with finish?  :o

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: Bryce on October 05, 2012, 02:29:37 am

Hickory is very tension strong. You shouldn't have any splinters lift up on yah

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: Pat B on October 05, 2012, 02:36:18 am

Generally hickory is sound as a sawn backing. I have made quite a few hickory backed osage bows and never had a backing failure. You are dealing with natural materials so anything can happen but I would worry.

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: mikekeswick on October 05, 2012, 02:40:19 am

Sure hickory 'sticks' together well but it depends on how well the backing strip was chosen....grain orientation/straightness is paramount!
DO NOT think that just because it's hickory it won't lift a splinter...if the grain is violated enough it will!

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: Tortoise on October 05, 2012, 02:43:18 am

The grain is pretty fair on the piece I chose, it'll probably work out.

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: Pappy on October 05, 2012, 06:41:48 am

I agree with Mike,hickory is tough but not bullet proof when rings are violated
or run off the edge.  :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: backing question
Post by: lesken2011 on October 05, 2012, 09:59:08 am

Pappy is right. Remember the Hickory backed ipe that was my first trade bow. The hickory had a little swirl in it that I thought I could get away with which popped a huge splinter, so the straighter the grain, the better!!


By the way, I re-glued the splinter area and wrapped it with artificial sinew and the bow is still shooting today.