1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?

[Shooter]

Has anyone here ever used 1/4 sawn ash to back a bow?

I used to core my fiberglass recurves with it and have a bunch of 1/4" x 1 1/2" pieces taking up space in my shed. It's almost perfectly straght grain through the entire length (58"). I have tried backing with it but both times were failures. I think I went too thick with it and worked it down the same way I work down hickory. Not enough taper...or something else.

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

[adb]

Ash, in my opinion, is a better belly wood, excelling in compression, rather than tension. Hickory and bamboo are king.

[Mad Max]

Ash, in my opinion, is a better belly wood, excelling in compression, rather than tension. Hickory and bamboo are king.

Ash for belly wood     1/4 sawn or what??

[autologus]

I have wondered about using as a backing myself.  I have however made a very narrow 55" bow pulling 40# that only took about 1/4" set by tempering the belly.  It made a very snappy shooter and this thing has a 28" draw length as well.  1 1/8" wide at the handle tapering down to 1/2" nocks.

Grady

[autologus]

Any opinions on 1/4 sawn Ash for backing?

Grady

[Marc St Louis]

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

[KellyG]

Never used any but it suppose to have the interlocking grains like hickory. So I would guess it would be good. How think is it when you put it on your bow?

[Danzn Bar]

Looks like some great advice from a very experience Mr. St. Louis to me!

[Mad Max]

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

On the belly??

[BL]

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

On the belly??

As a backing.  Interesting I was just looking these up tonight.  Thanks again for the inspiration, Marc.  I've got an ash self bow I had worked on and popped a handle.  After seeing these awesome bows, I plan on ripping it down to just a backing and putting it on some yew.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,16031.msg220664.html#msg220664

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=10040.0