Would Hackberry as a bow wood work and if so in what capacity would it work best?
Andrew
In the newest edition of PA Magazine, Jimmy Blackmon(RangerB) wrote a story about the 5 deer he killed two years ago with his "Hackberry Hammer" just before he deployed to Afghanistan. I don't remember the dimensions but it is a basic flatbow with slightly kicked tips.
Do a search for "hackberry". There has been several bows made from it. It is supposed to be the easiest wood for steaming recurves. I am helping a friend with his first bow. He is using hackberry. We have it close to floor tiller stage.
BoonRoto, I'm working on one for the trade, pictures posted on the trade bow thread. So far it's been an easy wood to work. The grain is somewhat interwoven so be careful on the tools you use. I should have used a rasp to thin the limbs instead of my drawknife, it caused me to come in at the bottom end of my desired weight, my fault though, not the wood. I dry bent the recurves on mine with no problems. I also heat treated the belly and am waiting for it to rehydrate before finishing.....I'll cut more if I get the chance.
Hackberry is very easy to work and does as well as any whitewood in the right design.
Hackberry is an excellent bow wood. I have made several bows from it and really like the way it works. My favorite was a Molly. 64"ttt, 2" wide limbs with a thickness of 9/16". Those dimensions will make a 55-60# bow.
I like hackberry. believe it is related to elm. easy to work. have had some success heat bending with grease and a heat gun. I'd suggest a simple pyramid design with 2" at the fades to 1" at the tips with pin knocks.