I've got the self bow itch and a question.

[Rob W.]

Recently I have found myself checking out the Bowyer's bench more and more. Over the years I have dabbled in board bows, bamboo backed ipe, etc. but never hunted them much. Now I have a strong desire to hunt a self bow next year.

Now my question. I have a nice straight, long hickory stave I got from a buddy. Its dry and the bark has been removed. The problem is that there are a couple spots where the outer growth ring has been violated. For a 66" or so bow they will fall near mid limb. I might be able to move them 6" or so one way or the other but I really don't want to back this bow. Am I asking for trouble?

 

[George Tsoukalas]

I can't tell if it is really a violation through the wood or the inner bark. Remove the inner bark with a scraper and then you can judge. Jawge

[soy]

You can also chance it down to another ring  

[Rob W.]

This will probably show my ignorance but isn't that first white layer under the darker inner bark what I'm looking for? If so it is defiantly through that and into a harder layer.

Also if it matters this is a shagbark.

Thanks for the help guys!  

[fujimo]

i dont know if it will really make a difference- i have backed bows with hickory that have had numerous ring violations, i would think with hickory just blend it in well, over a longish distance- no sharp undulations, or steps/edges- maybe back with silk or linen- i know you did not want too- but if you are concerned about the back, that might be easier than chasing the next ring down.

[fujimo]

i dont know if it will really make a difference- i have backed bows with hickory that have had numerous ring violations, i would think with hickory just blend it in well, over a longish distance- no sharp undulations, or steps/edges- maybe back with silk or linen- i know you did not want too- but if you are concerned about the back, that might be easier than chasing the next ring down.

[Bowjunkie]

As long as the grain was relatively straight, I'd layout a 2" stave with straight lines, while utilizing the clearest wood possible, and then saw it out. With so much unneeded wood removed, it would take very little time to remove the remaining inner bark and chase that ring. The violated ring looks quite thin too... chasing it should take minutes.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I agree with Jeff.

Ive been around Southern Indiana a good bit, get ya' some yellow wood man! Its all over them hills. I get all my staves from the Madison area and east. The humidity in the earlier part of your season will really mess with your hickory bow.

[Roy from Pa]

I must be wrong here, but I always thought with Hickory, you just removed the bark and what's left was the back of the bow? Was the layer under the bark violated when he removed the bark?

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, that is what Rob is afraid of but I think he is good to go. Jawge

[Bowjunkie]

Only if it was cut in the summer growing season. At any other time, it's on there pretty good and you have to drawknife it off. It looks like his friend got a little happy with the drawknife.

I would not only be concerned with the places that he went completely THROUGH the outermost growth ring, but also with all the other spots that he surely thinned it or nicked it.

[Roy from Pa]

Ok I understand now. Your right Jeff on cutting the bow out to bow profile then cleaning up the back. But you made me work on the whole stave on my first Hickory bow, ya turkey:)

[Bowjunkie]

I wouldn't cut it all the way to profile. I'd make it about 2" to 2 1/2" wide from one end to the other so I had layout room in case it warped a little during further drying or removal of wood.

I made you work the whole thing because I didn't like you    

[PEARL DRUMS]

Well played Jeff, well played.

[burnt]

Rob, we are getting together for a winter hunt in Brownstown the weekend after Christmas(late season doe).  If you want to come, bring the stave and we can look at it.  Also I agree with pearl drums, Indiana is humid for a good part of the year and osage would treat you better in the hunting woods than hickory.

[Rob W.]

Thanks guys! After some scraping I think I'm committed to chasing the next ring down. The ring that was violated was pretty thin and is coming off easier than I thought.

I have tracked down a bunch of osage but need to get time to cut it. This stick of hickory was dry and free. I also needed something to get me back into the swing of things.

Can my sealing choice on this hickory help out with the humidity?

[Rob W.]

Burnt, I should be off that weekend. I wanted to come up earlier in the year. I will try to make it.

Maybe I can track down some dry osage before then. I won't be able to keep myself from shaving this hickory into something that resembles a bow til then.

[KellyG]

Rob you may be scraping off the cambium a thin layer just under the bark. If that is what it is you can make your bow now and it will not hurt you bow. I have done both hickory and hackberry that have had it. It comes off in the final sanding and if not adds to the character of the bow and natural camo.

[burnt]

I have nothing against hickory and I wouldn't turn a hickory stave away. This time of year is probably the best to make one with the lower humidity.  I'd seal it with at least 5 coats of tru oil(birch casey) and avoid shooting it in the summer when the humidity is high.