How difficult is it to work hickory?

[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??

[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

[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]

Originally 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

[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

[Sean B]

Ok, I have about a 70" hickory log about 8" in diameter. I'm going to let it dry.....to be continued.......

[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]

Originally posted by glenbo:
Sean, if you can quarter it and seal the ends drying time will be accelerated.

Deal it with tar?

[perry f.]

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