hickory board bow advice needed.

[beartail]

a friend of mine wants me to build him a bow for his son and one for his grand son for Christmas.what kind of board/grain would be best?i am thinking 1 1/2 wide 67-68 inches long and 45 lbs and he other 55-56 inchs long 1 inch wide 30 lbs.3 layers of some kinda backing.like canvas.im going with a d bow.some type of indian designe.maby charokee.would it be safe to  leave it un backed,ive made a hick board bow before butthat was 10 years ago.it was cool as heck.and it wasn't backed.give me some plans or ideas.

[George Tsoukalas]

Your measurements sound about right? YOu could go 1 3/8" wide out to mid limb narrowing to 1/2 inch tips. That could yield 45 lbs and be a little easier to shoot. Let the handle bend with no narrowing.

You need straight grained stock. Look at the edge for 1/4 sawn it must be completely straight.

Look at the face for plane sawn and rift sawn. You are allowed a few run outs per limb.

My site has more.

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

Jawge

[BOWMAN53]

sounds good to me.

[beartail]

awesome! I realy don't think I need to back it.hickory is some tough stuff.provideed I find the rite board of course.

[George Tsoukalas]

Also, no knots allowed. I had a hickory board bow break at a pin knot  Jawge

[beartail]

thank yall vary much.yea,them knots can summon up a knot on your head if you aint carefull!!!!thanks Mr T