First time debarking hickory and wondering where to stop in the process. Do I want to see grain or leave a little inner bark? Question 2, If I cut into the wood at all does that compromize the back of the bow?
Take off the Hard bark and the inner bark as well. If the wood is already dry you can put the stave in a vise and sometimes get the bark started lifting on the end with a chisel then slide a draw knife under sometimes it will strip right off. Sometimes not. The bark comes off easy when green. It's best not to bother the grain under the bark, but small nicks are unavoidable and can be removed with a scraper or sander. If you take the bark off fresh cut hickory you may need to seal it with paint or varnish or something to keep it from getting drying cracks if it drys quickly.
Thanks B40, I greatly appreciate the info.
When I removed the bark on my hickory, there is a clear difference between the cambium and the wood. The cambium is brown and has some grain in it. The wood that you want is white. Once I see white, I stop.
I remove it all I have left the inter bark for camo. No hickory can take some volations.Just sand in really well.
Thanks everybody I figured it out thanks to all of you. :thumbsup: