White oak for backing hickory

[Keith Wolfe]

I was just contemplating what could solve the high tension vs. compression of hickory. Kits sold are hickory with hickory backing which doesn't solve but actually magnifies the difference, and bamboo, which is even stronger in tension thus increasing magnification of the difference. Shouldn't they be selling hickory blanks with say white oak or maple backing strips. These pairings would require less trapping if any at all and the whole back overpowering the belly issue could go away. How could you calculate the perfect match of compressive vs. tension strength since they seem to be different calculations on different scales. I want to find the perfect match in tension for hickory bellies without toasting, crowning, or trapping!!!!

[Pat B]

I'd think white oak or maple would be a good backing for hickory. Both are good backing material without being overpowering. Although a good hickory board bow shouldn't need a backing.

[Keith Wolfe]

I have a few boards with a few run ups, but not runoffs to the side. I just had that bow almost finished start ticking and go into the scrap pile. Whenever i have a problem with a bow, it sends me back to school/research. A year ago i had a failure on a gift to a friend's very tall father in law who was a compound shooter and lord knows how far he drew that bow. Remade it successfully, and I delivered it with a side of traditional shooting form education. I literally got a little frozen, reviewed basics for a couple of months, and then remade the bow. I can't get frozen this time. I don't have the time and the bow is a gift that will be late as is. I already ordered a pile of wood from several sources so I should get atleast one winner. This is for my biggest client in business that I've been working with over ten years and this is the fourth bow for men in her family, so, as always, the stakes and stress are elevated. She was of course very gracious and kind when I explained that I had to start over, and showed her how far along i was when I heard the cracks. Still, gotta get it right and need to get it done within a month or so to allow my finish to cure for at least a few weeks before my polished satin finish can be done, so that it's just as nice as the other bows already in the family. Pretty much furniture grade finish, so the gauntlet is before me. Step one step two and so on....