Ipe bow build help

[skillet]

I got a real nice piece of ipe from a TradGanger here in trade. This is one of the few pieces of ipe that I have seen that I can actually see the growth rings.  Question is, should I try and follow a ring for the back? I really don't want to back it. Stave is about 60" and absolutely beautiful. The long slender pencil stick bows that Rich S. has made from ipe is my goal. I draw 27" and would like 45-48# at that length.

Should I follow a ring? Back it with uber thin hickory or bamboo or....silk?

Help me out.

Rick

[mmgrode]

If you've got Ipe you probably have a board of it.  It's all about what you want out of a bow. If you can follow a ring all the way and retain sufficient thickness and width you could make it into a lovely selfbow or you could back it with any number of backing materials.  Otherwise bamboo would be your best bet IMO. What type of bow does Rich S. make?  Cheers, Matt

[BamBooBender]

Rich S. Makes some really nice bamboo backed ipe bows.

[V-Archer]

Here is one I made last year: 47# @28", bamboo backing and ipe belly. It's a smooth and fast shooter.
I used an Ipe board from a flooring company and made tapered lams out of it.

V-Archer