Hey guys I'm new to the site and new to bowyering. I am working on my second selfbow it is a 64" hickory stave that is roughed out and waiting to be tillered. My question is, I would like it to be around 55# @ 29.5 or 30" and i'm thinking it's gonna be near impossible. Do you think maybe a hickory or bamboo backing would help me achieve this? :help:
Hickory backed hickory bow? I'd love to see that :D
As you may know, hickory is possibly one of the best woods in tension. If anything, hickory should be the backing.
If you have a good back ring on your stave, no other backing is necessary or warranted. 64" is a bit short for a 30" draw but it is doable if care is taken. Make your limbs a bit wider(1 3/4" to 2"), keep the belly flat and get the limbs bending at least to the fades if not into the fades.
Yeah my limbs are 1 3/4" tapering to a little bit wider than 5/8" nocks it's still rough and I left everything a little bit wider for that reason. Thanks for the help guys I'll post some pics if it turns out ok.
Hickory backed hickory is an awesome bow, and easy to do. But like Pat said, be careful and you can get it.
I have made a couple of HBH's, glued up in Perry reflex they are a decent bow.