Not again! I'm done with BBI

[StoneAK]

I can't figure this out so many people are having troubles with ipe but it has been my main bow wood for the last year or so. Maybe like it was said before it may just be a bad run of supplies. out of maybe a dozen ipe Boo combos I have done no failures and trust me I am no professional bowyer you all have me beat hands down.          

[scottm]

Im done with Ipe also.Just glued up my first and it will be my last.Grain seperated on belly!Looked good out of the form.Started sanding the glu off the edges and the grain just lifted all most all the way through to the bamboo at the point I clamped my deflex.I dont even think a belly lamb of osage can save this one.No more Ipe for me.It may have just ben a bad piece,but ive got other wood to work with.No more Ipe for me.

[PEARL DRUMS]

The few Ipe bows I have monkeyed with the Ipe was bullet proof. Your backer doesnt seem to be too thick either. Im not sure there are very many other woods that look like Ipe? Some Ipe gets harvested from the bottom of lakes in Central America. Maybe just maybe that one soaked a few decades too long.

[Loren Holland]

I love Ipe. I have backed it with Boo and with hickory, both worked great. Ipe is so dense you can make scary tiny tips, and have zero hand shock, and blazing speed. The problem is not seeing grain and rings the same way you are used to seeing Osage. The only trouble I have had with it, was a break at a swirly grain pattern that was all but hidden under the surface of the belly. But seriously how many other woods have you broken bows too?

[canopyboy]

Originally posted by Loren Holland:
But seriously how many other woods have you broken bows too?

And there it is....

I'm willing to give ipe another shot.  This last bow was just too fast not to.  But I'll also be giving the grain a very close look before glue-up next time!

[Sal]

This brings up a good point, if you are not convinced ipe is a true bow wood, you'll only remember the failures.  But all bow woods break, and I doubt people will "swear off" osage because one osage board bow broke.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Dryad makes and sells a truck load of Ipe/Boo bows every year.

[hova]

sometimes you eat the bar , and sometimes , well...