Ok, so I'm working on a bow that I might do for the trade bow if it works out. I know I should add pics of my progress but I want to run something by you all first. I was reading that the reason hickory takes a set more easily could be that it is so strong in tension that it overpowers it's own belly. So I decided to trap the back to see if that helps. I also want to use a rawhide backing because it is a board and although it as nice straight grain it looks like it has some sap wood with the heart wood. Shouldn't I back the whole back. I'm thinking about using the bear rawhide that I have and it is very thin, almost as thin as grocery sack paper.