Proven bow wood combinations without using glass.

[eflanders]

Fellow Bowyers,

I am trying to create a listing / spreadsheet of proven bow wood combinations without the use of fiberglass, carbon or kevlar.  Wood combinations that have been proven to be durable, non self-defeating and fast.  You experienced bowyers already know what backing woods work best with what core woods and belly woods because some woods are better in compression etc..  Because I and others are far less experienced in what combinations work best, I was hoping that many of you would be willing to contribute to this project?  Maybe this could become a sticky once it has been completed.  I already have a spreadsheet started that has 3 catagories: Backing, Core and Belly.  Along side of each Backing wood it lists proven & suitable Core and Belly wood that work best with it.  

For example:  Bamboo backings have been proven to work well with bamboo cores and bellies.  But Bamboo backings have also been known to overpower certain cores and/or belly woods like Ash.  

Thanks in advance for your help in compiling this listing!

[Walt Francis]

I can’t remember offhand which volume, the Traditional Bowyers Bibles contain most, if not all the information you are looking for.  I believe it is volume 3 but it might be volume 4.

[Hermann From Bavaria]

Bamboo and Hick backings works well on R/D bows with massaranduba and ipe bellys. Bows made of this configurations produce incredible arrow speeds.

greets
Herm

[CaptainJ]

Originally posted by Walt Francis:
I can’t remember offhand which volume, the Traditional Bowyers Bibles contain most, if not all the information you are looking for.  I believe it is volume 3 but it might be volume 4.

Volume 4 chapter 2 is 42 pages of wood properties.
I don't think it has combinations, but it does give tension / compression information. Generally woods good in tension are best for backs and woods good in compression are good for bellies and cores.

CJ

[No-sage]

Much of what you're asking very much depends on the design of the bow.

There are no hard fast rules in wood bowmaking.

[fujimo]

sure thats true, but  one can make some very general observations, i know when i was starting out i would have loved a list like this- just a nice kick off point- while you are trying to learn so many other things.
hickory- really good backing-pretty reasonable belly, but not ideal.
tough forgiving of mistakes and bad tiller.
tough-ish to scrape and sand. susceptable to moisture
ipe- excellent belly-on a crowned belly, it needs perfect taper, otherwise it will chrysall. i make mine all flat bows. makes for very slim light bows- easy to carry all day.
ash - nice and easy to work with, takes a fair amount of set( very general observation!!)  
ok. to good as a backing.
osage- the best of everything- hard hitting and snappy- easy to work with- nice colour etc etc
i am sure many others will throw in their comments.
wayne

[Knawbone]

How about black locust back w/ osage belly, something I thought of- has anyone ever tried it?

[Knawbone]

Sorry guys if I butted in, still like to know BL and osage would work together---- A good start is half done

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I've only worked with Osage and it's everything that Fujimo said that it is. The best of all worlds, but I've often wondered about pairing it up with something faster such as IPE?
Just to see what kind of monster I could create.

[Mckenzie]

I have worked with Ipe once.  It seemed very resinous - is it difficult to laminate with Smooth On epoxy or finish with products other than two part finishes?

[bigcountry]

Originally posted by Knawbone:
Sorry guys if I butted in, still like to know BL and osage would work together---- A good start is half done

I think both make good belly wood, but not sure how you could make this combo as far as backing with either.  niether are intergrained like hickory/maple etc.  Their weakness tends to be the distinction between the early and late growth.

[sulphur]

here's one that get forgotten.  qtr sawn ash backing on cherry.  light in the hand and fast as most bamboo/on anything.

[wildcat hunter]

I put cedar for bellies and oak for backs, sometimes with ash in the center. I also used walnut on bellies that was ok but on a back they broke. I have used osage on the back with cedar on the belly - very pretty bow.