30+ year old hickory bow

[Living_waters]

Friend of mine brought me a hickory flat bow today. He got it from a gentleman that said he got it while working on the Cherokee reservation over 30 years ago. Bow looks  to be solid and made well, grain looks good. My friend says he wants to shoot it, oooookkkkay.  I told him I wouldnt shoot it with out being backed with rawhide or silk.

But here is the question, it has Taken alot of set over the years whats you alls thinking on heat straightening some of the set out?

[wildcat hunter]

Cool - picture ?

[Pat B]

Leave it as it is and enjoy it for what it was. I would think the historical value of it would over ride the need to shoot it. You would probably be disappointed in its performance anyway.

[Living_waters]

I know Pat B that is exactly what I told him.

[rainman]

If he wants to shoot it heat treat the belly, that will take the set out.  Sorry I don't see historical signifgance if the bow does'nt have a name on it.

[Living_waters]

Here are a few quick photos.
   
   
     

I forgot to mention that it has also been tillered from both the back and the belly. It is decrowned and shows tool marks on both sides. If I tried that all I would have is firewood. But that may explain the set, if it was tillered green then it would be more likely to stay together but take massive set. Just a thought!
Weight looks to be probably in the 40's

[red hill]

What about using it as a model and making a copy of the bow and shoot it? Just an idea.

The aesthetic value of this bow would have to be my first concern, also.

[Pat B]

A 30 year old hand made bow does have history IMO.
  If he really has to shoot the bow he needs to reeducate the wood to bend by slowly, easily exercising the limbs, an inch at a time  and work it out to full draw over a few days. I'd brace it low to start with and gradulally increase that. Heat treating may take out the set but it depends on how badly the belly cells are crushed wheather the repair takes.
 Red Hill has a great idea, copy it!

[AkDan]

or build him one as a replica...double wammy two bows one with history and one he can go shoot till his fingers hurt.

[Living_waters]

I helped him harvest some white oak staves last winter. He has them seasoning in his barn. So I am obligated to finish the process and show him how to complete a selfbow.
LOL done got the design copied on paper.
The aesthetics is another problem, I have yet to figure out what it was stained with. Bow is dark heart wood and it has a darker stain that is not a solvent based. I have never made a stain from walnuts but it does look like that is what it could be.
Pat Im scared to bend it, you want to come and do it    

[Sal]

The most common reason old bows have set is because they were left permanently strung by owners who didn't know any better.

[Pat B]

I'd rather not bend it but just enjoy it. I have a few old wood bows that are still together  despite me trying to shoot them when I got them. On one, a short lemonwood semi-pyrimid bow that the handle riser popped off after the first few pulls and an old York Archery lemonwood ELB style bow that I shot a few times. Their memory is more impressive than their performance. d;^)

[Living_waters]

I was at a bow shoot last year and a guy was shooting a pre-ban cuban lemon wood self bow. I felt like some one was running their nails down a chalk board every time he drew it to shoot.

OK im gonna do my best to talk him into hanging it on the wall. Now what kind of string, flax, rawhide, sinew?