chasing a ring?

[pintail_drake2004]

what does that mean really? i have some hickory billets that were cut a few years ago but im not sure what to do. what do you have to chase a ring for? do you have to do it on a board bow? will that ring you get to be the back of the bow when you are done?
Sorry for all the questions
thanks for the help
Pintail

[John Scifres]

It means drawknifing or otherwise getting the back of a self bow stave to a single growth ring.  It makes the back one solid fiber of the tree's growth, maximizes the strength, and minimizes the opportunity for a slpinter to lift and break the bow.

Usually it is not required on a board bow assuming the board is properly chosen.

Tell us more about your billets and the bow you want from them.

Here's   My Webpage  .  Look at the "Roughing Out a Self Bow" and the "Ferret's Board Bow Instructions" tutes.

[pintail_drake2004]

thank you for clearing that up for me, i just wasnt sure what it meant. I like the website, lots of good info, thanks for the link.
well the billets are split hickory bolts about 4-5' in length. I am wanting to attempt a take down recurve, this will be my second bow, but Im not sure if im ready to attempt that yet. my target weight is some where around 65#@26" but like a said, i probably dont have enough experience yet to attempt that, but i have the billets when im ready.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

With Hickory, you don't have to chase a ring. The sapwood right under the bark is the back of the bow.
Reparrowman

[pintail_drake2004]

appreciate the help. Does hickory make good t/d recurves?