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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on May 13, 2009, 07:07:00 AM

Title: Hickory self bow
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on May 13, 2009, 07:07:00 AM

I am making a hickory self bow out of a stave I cut last summer. The the stave is only 64 inches long. Is this long enough to make a 60 lbs bow draw twenty six inches if I make the limbs wide and flet enough

Title: Re: Hickory self bow
Post by: arrowslinger22 on May 13, 2009, 07:30:00 AM

Short answer is yes, but it depends on the quality of the stave (knots, density, integrity of the back), the design (rectangular limb cross-section)and your skills as a bowyer.  I'd make sure that it's completely dry too.  Without knowing how it's been stored and if it was debarked and reduced, it certainly may not be dry enough in one season.