ash holmgaard bow

[fujimo]

go a mate here, wants to build a holmgaard, got some nice ash boards, would he need to work down to a ring on the back, or can one treat the ash like the other white woods.
thanks
wayne

[Pat B]

Wayne, if he is dealing with boards he needs to first consider the grain lines in the board. Are there run offs? is the grain straight?...along the top surface but also the sides of the stave?
 A backing may be needed to make the board safe enough to make a bow. Hard backings(hickory, elm, maple) will also add cast and soft backings(linen, silk, rawhide, paper)add only protection against a splinter lifting.
  Check out George Tsoukalas' site. He cover all aspects of board bow building.

[DesertFox]

Originally posted by Pat B:
...soft backings(linen, silk, rawhide, paper)add only protection against a splinter lifting.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but would Coutil be considered a soft backing? It's a fabric with more tensile strength than silk. In fact, it's the only fabric available that can withstand the pressures of corset making.

So with that said, does the fact that it will not stretch make it actually do work as a backing?

[fujimo]

hi Pat,
 the boards are really goodedge grain pretty straight, minimal runout.
the last ash bow i built, i chased a ring, worked easy and well, still a good shooter, he is really just starting out, and was trying to make it a little easier for him, he wants to build a 50 lb holmgaard, this is only his second or third bow.
thanks
wayne

[Pat B]

Fox, I've never heard of coutil but if it is compatible with the glue it should make a good backing. You have to be careful with materials that have little or no stretch not to overpower the belly. I had that happen with raw silk on an osage recurve.
  Wayne, I think I would back the board or at least the working portion of it with silk or linen just for insurance. Lots of stress goes in a relatively short area on a Holmie!

[fujimo]

thanks pat, just what we needed to know, think we will back with silk, for security!
thanks.

[fujimo]

anybody, any ideas where we can find some silk or linen suitable.
wayne

[Bob Barnes]

Coutil (or Coutille) is woven cloth created specifically for making corsets. It is woven tightly to inhibit penetration of the corset's bones and resist stretching. Coutil has a high cotton content. Cotton has good dimensional stability, or a resistance to stretching, which makes it a good choice for such a stressed garment. Coutil may be made to be plain (similar to 100% cotton facing), satin, or brocade.

old neck ties are made of silk most of the time...easy to find...

Bob