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How difficult is it to work hickory?

Started by Sean B, September 27, 2016, 09:01:00 AM

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Sean B

A coworker had s hickory tree come down in his yard. How difficult is hickory to work into a selfbow for a beginner??
Sean
PBS Regular Member
Comptons
NY Bowhunters Association
BW KB X
BW PCH X
BW PSR X
Robertson Tribal Styk

glenbo

My personal opinion is that hickory is very well suited for a beginner, but I am no expert. It certainly does hold on to moisture and needs adequate drying time. Give me a shout if you need a dry stave to practice on Sean. Got a bunch in the shop.

2fletch

Agree with glenbo. "Hickory is very well suited for a beginner. If you cut it in the late Spring, you can peel off the bark and with a little sanding use that as the back of the bow. That is a great saver of time and energy. It's relatively easy to find straight grain hickory that is free of knots. It is definitely a primary bow wood suited for a first bow. Good luck!

TradBowyer

hickory is an excellent wood for self bows. only issue with it is you have to get it dry under 8% is ideal. 10-12% not so good. if its down, you need to get to it quickly as whitewood starts to decompose quickly due to the large amounts of early growth in the rings. I like to split the log into quarters, rip the bark off the back, coat the ends with elmers glue (cheap) or shellac and let sit for about a month or two before splitting them again. the larger you leave the splits initially will help prevent warping during drying.

ron w

When I read this I thought......ask glenbo, he beat me to it!.....lol
In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's there are few...So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind...This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.  Shunryu Suzuki

perry f.


This was my first, still shooting and plan on using it on our opener this weekend along with the cane arrows. Hickory is tough and durable. Make your bow 2" wide to mid limb, then taper to 1/2" at nock. Have fun and learn something along the way

Sean B

QuoteOriginally posted by glenbo:
My personal opinion is that hickory is very well suited for a beginner, but I am no expert. It certainly does hold on to moisture and needs adequate drying time. Give me a shout if you need a dry stave to practice on Sean. Got a bunch in the shop.
Thanks all and thanks Glen, I think I'll take you up on it after the season
Sean
PBS Regular Member
Comptons
NY Bowhunters Association
BW KB X
BW PCH X
BW PSR X
Robertson Tribal Styk

kenneth butler

Glenbo, I am kind of new at this computer stuff.  I attempted to send you an email and am curious if you got it.     Ken

K.S.TRAPPER

You can bye excellent dryed and ready to go staves from Mike Yancey at Pine Hollow longbows a Sponser on here if you are in a hurry.

Great offer Glen and everything he said about Hickory is correct. I've had some that were amazing shooting bows and still do.

Tracy
You really haven't hunted the old fashion way until you've done it from one of these Indian houses.(The Tipi) "Glenn ST. Charles"

Sean B

Ok, I have about a 70" hickory log about 8" in diameter. I'm going to let it dry.....to be continued.......
Sean
PBS Regular Member
Comptons
NY Bowhunters Association
BW KB X
BW PCH X
BW PSR X
Robertson Tribal Styk

peanut39350

Go over to the bowyers bench there's plenty of experienced bowyers over there to belp you out

glenbo

Sean, if you can quarter it and seal the ends drying time will be accelerated.

Sean B

QuoteOriginally posted by glenbo:
Sean, if you can quarter it and seal the ends drying time will be accelerated.
Deal it with tar?
Sean
PBS Regular Member
Comptons
NY Bowhunters Association
BW KB X
BW PCH X
BW PSR X
Robertson Tribal Styk

perry f.

a lot of people seal it with cheap elmers glue. (white, like you use in school)


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