cherry board bow

[bubby]

want to build a 5 ft cherry bow lite, around 25#. What would be a good design, and should I back it at 60"

[Roy Steele]

Yes I would a board bow.

[troutremble]

Yes back it, I think cherry is a little weak in tension anyways. I made a 66" cherry board bow and backed with rawhide. 60# @ 26". Turned out great.

[sulphur]

definitely back it.  rawhide, hickory or maybe silk.  the ones i have made i used hickory.  its makes a good combo. 1.75" wide pyramid taper to .5" tips.  9" riser block with 2" fades.  just my opinion.

[Pat B]

What draw length will this bow built for? For such a light weight bow, if the grain is good no backing should be needed. If you do want to back it for insurance, silk or linen would work fine. By adding a hickory backing you will increase the draw weight quite a bit.

[bubby]

about a 24" draw length, it's for my wife and right now thats about all she can handle. Their is a little run off at one end of the board, but very little.

[Pat B]

Silk or linen backing will give you a bit of insurance. You may find a silk blouse with a nice pattern she would like.

[bubby]

thank's Pat, I'll give it a go. got two staves to work with, if it blows I'll have a spare.

[Pat B]

Wrong attitude!  You have 2 staves to make 2 beautiful bows with!!!

[bubby]

sorry Pat,all I meant was I'd go for it without worry. Just get to work and have at it, sorry if that came across wrong.

[Pat B]

No problem Bubby. I just try to keep a positive attitude when it comes to building wood bows. Screwed up too many trying to build them with a negative attitude.

[bubby]

thats ok Pat, i'll just keep smiling, just ruffed in the cherry bow and a hickory one. time to get scraping.