question pick one ipe bamboo or ipe hickory

[Scott Beitzel]

looking at some bow kits to put together and kinda like the look of the boo on a back and it's tough . but didn't know about hickery .

just asking both kits cost the same .
think both are 1/2 in ipe belly cores with either a boo back or 1/8 inch hickery back .
i have built 1 bow before from a kit and have had good results with it but want to go a lighter draw weight and thought that i could get it with one of these kits than with the tri lam kit i built last time .

any help or suggestions would be helpfull.

thanks,
Scott

[vanillabear?]

[Scott Beitzel]

i kinda thought that it would be a personal prefrince but just had to ask ya know lol.

thanks and will have to close my eyes and pick i guess.
thanks,
Scott

[PEARL DRUMS]

Scott I am building an Ash backed Ipe from scratch. I will post pics when done (a week or two) and maybe you will get a better idea since Ash and Hickory look alot alike.

[John Cooper]

Bamboo is a heck of a lot stronger than hickory in tension.  That's what I'd go with.  Takes longer to prepare, but I think it's worth it.

[hova]

are you doing this stickbow style or laminated?


as for the stickbow style , would you be looking for the outside of the culm or more like flooring is. i was actually thinking about this the other day , cause the local yard has ipe , and bamboo flooring. i thought that might be an interesting swap bow if this locust doesnt work out for some reason...


-hov

[JamesV]

If you are building a backed bow you need raw Bamboo and for a laminated glass bow the laminated bamboo is best.

[Pat B]

Bamboo is stronger in tension but is more apt to break if not prepared properly. I have made ipe bows with both boo and hickory and personally I prefer the hickory. I know if I get a good hickory backing I can make a good, durable bow. With the boo I can make a good bow.

[KellyG]

Pat B,
I think you could make a great bow out of grass clippings if you had too.
 
Kelly

[Pat B]

Bamboo is a grass! d;^)

[KellyG]

Originally posted by Pat B:
Bamboo is a grass! d;^)

  you got me there