Primitive Archer

Willie – please define what you mean by “top-end hickory,” either from a bowyer’s perspective or specifically as a backing material. Quality alone is not a sufficient reason, because it does not directly affect bow speed. If a finished bow functions well and has no problems, then the wood quality is adequate.

The most important parameters are strength, elastic modulus, and density. One possible reason is that hickory, on average, has a lower elastic modulus relative to its density than bamboo. As a result, a finished bow is heavier (in physical weight) compared to a similar bamboo-backed bow.

Thanks folks. This is good material so far.

When reflexing laminations so close to finished dimensions, what do you expect the spring back to be off the caul? As in, if you want to have the tips deflected 3" from their deflexed position, do you glue the limbs in 6" of reflex? More? Less?

Quote from: simk on December 13, 2025, 05:51:18 pm

Hickory backed bows always perform poor. Its a massive difference to the same bow backed with boo.   

Very interesting find! Why is that? Why would a hickory back be a poor choice? Does it take tension set (assuming that’s even possible)?

lots of different kinds of hickory here in the US, and densities vary widely. Lumber grading is mostly by appearance rather than structural strength. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-285-W.pdf
A bowyer sourcing top end hickory in the states would most likely not source from the lumber retailers.

Nice collection of hatchets and axes, Clint. Aren't most of those carpenters and roofer's hatchets?

 Beautiful bow.