Just got a nice hackberry stave, it will be my first time working with this wood.

How is hackberry concerning belly splits?  This stave is almost 5" deep, so I will be halving it regardless, just wondering if I should try to belly split it, or just take it to the bandsaw.

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Thanks for the advice,
Mike

Mike, I've never worked hackberry but I did recieve a nice stave at the Tenn. Classic. To be safe I think I'd saw the belly split off. Someone more familiar with the wood might be able to give you a more educated answer.

According to Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol.4, it is very similar in mechanical properties to elm which is an excellent bow wood. They mention that it almost never breaks and  takes almost no set. It is supposed to be especially strong in tension making it a great backing wood as well....hope this helps! Doesn't mention belly wood use but should work fine for a english style self bow based on the description.

I just don't know how the wood splits thats why I recommended sawing the belly split off.

Saw the belly split off. It will probably run off on you if you try to split it.

Thanks guys, I will just play it safe and saw it off.

Ive made three bows from it so far.  The grain is somewhat interwoven like elm, so I'd say better to saw it like Pat and PD suggest.  I is very hard to break, but will take some set if not well tillered or properly seasoned (don't ask how I know this).  It also take heat treating very well....Dan

Its my second favorite. Awesome bow wood. Very fast, very light, very easy to work and takes a ton of set if you dont temper the belly. I have made bunches from it and none have broke or fretted on me. The tempered bows hold reflex and the plain janers follow the string. I just finished up a 56" ntn sinew backed static hackberry that smokes an arrow and hold tons of reflex from temper and sinew of course.

Hey PD, that one on a thread here anywhere?

Nope. Its a complete build along on Primitive Archer.

Got it- that's where I saw it.