Was at my local Menards today looking thru the hickory boards and the pickings was pretty slim as usual. I did find 2 straight grained bias sawn 1" X 2" X 8' boards one of which is so dark that I'm thinking it's heartwood? Anyone make a bow from one of these dark boards? It's kind of thin ringed but straight grained and I liked the looks of it so for $9.50 I took a chance. :)
(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/hickheartwd_zps561e37eb.png)
AIUI, Hickory heartwood is better in compression, sapwood better in tension, so of course, when I was using it I used heartwood for a backing strip and sapwood for the stave (backwards from what it should've been). At least I got the heartwood handle right.
Looked pretty though, and shot well, so it seems to be a minor difference.
I've heard what william said about the heartwood vs sapwood before as well. I don't knot how much it really matters though ... I amde one hicjkory bow that was like half sapwood and half heartwood split down the middle of the bow and running end to end. Didn;t twist or chrysal in one area. They seemed pretty similar.
I've also used heartwood for backing strips without any suprises.
Thanks for the info guys; glad to hear that it's good bow wood :) I've seen quite a few boards with the heartwood/sapwood mixed like you mentioned, Ben, but they always have bad grain or knots. I'd love to find a nice clear one; bet that would make a neat looking bow.
I use heartwood and sapwood. Both make great bows although I do prefer the color of heartwood, just put on some poly and man she will shine.