I have built several backed longbows in the past, as well as several Osage selfbows. I have, in the last several years gone in a different direction. Refinishing and sort of collecting Bear recurves.
Now, with a local fellow being given my name as someone who knows how, (they didn't do much research) to build backed bows, my interest has been peaked again in the building direction.
However, I love the look of recurves moreso than longbows. Is it possible to build a true recurve using Osage slats and Hickory backing?
What about Bamboo backing?
Do I need to kerf the slat tips? How deep?
Can I use a tip wedge?
Do I need to heat bend the slat before glue up?
Should I scrap the idea and build an Osage selfbow recurve. What about Hop Hornbeam?
OK I'll stop for now.
I've seen threads where the hickory backing was steamed and bent along with the belly material. And boo thin enough to bend naturally without heating. Give it a try.