bamboo backed hickory bow

[Nivek]

I would like to build a bamboo backed hickory bow. What advantages can I expect from the bamboo backing. I do not want to build it reflex/deflex (not enough experience yet) but am concerned with excessive handshock. Anything I can do to reduce this.
I would be aiming for 68" o/all 50# at 27" draw.
Your thoughts

[Bert Frelink]

Kevin,
It sounds to me that you have your mind made up that straight Bamboo Backed Hickory bows have excessive handshock, absolutly not true, Go ahead and build one and then make up your mind.
There are a number of things that contribute to handshock, number one being that the tiller is not correct.
You are looking to build a 66" NTN bow 50" @27", which should be a nice shooting and very doable project.
Good luck with it.
Bert.

[Nivek]

 Thanks Bert,
Hi from Ontario. I will make it my winter project. Will use my Checkmate Falcon this Fall.
Heard that Checkmate in B.C. is having problems, have you heard anything.

[Aznboi3644]

handshock is from overbuilding.  Not from any particular wood.

But from the person making the bow.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Make the bow 4" shorter with your draw length. You have two of the toughest wood/plants going. Extra long limsb arent needed with a 27" draw and that combo of materials.

[briarjumper12]

Since the subject of length vs. draw lenght is being discussed.  What would be the optimum length for a hickory selfbow, 27" draw, 50 lb. All mine have turned out around 65 ntn.  Could I shorten the design up some?  I have one in the works right now that I've made with a straight taper from 2 wide at fades tapering to 5/8 at the tips at string grooves, 65" long.

[Living_waters]

Be careful with the tiller. Pre tiller the hickory out to almost full draw, at least 20 inches. Hickory is not that great in compression and can do some funny things in compression.
I have one I did not tiller out very far and it took alot of set in the middle of one limb, there is no visible reason why, I even added a belly lamb and retillered and it came right back. My theory is that fibers were crushed slightly in that area during tiller and it caused a weak spot.
Tillered another one out to full draw, thinned boo as much as possible and it came out perfect,almost right out of the box.

But both are really good shooters, the combo is fast and forgiving.

[Eric Krewson]

I have made several bamboo backed hickory bows. All were 64" ntn, 1 1/4" wide to mid limb tapering to 7/16" nocks.

All were wide, ugly, poorly tillered bows that friends had. In a moment of weakness I volunteered to make them into good looking, great shooting bows so I narrowed them and backed them with bamboo. I glued a couple inches of reflex in the bows when I added the bamboo.

When completed, these bows performance was right up there with the multitude of bamboo backed osage bows I have made.