Backing an Ipe Board Bow

[Blackie76]

My neighbor had some Ipe leftovers from a decking job and gave me some good pieces.  The grain is good-not-great.  I'd like to back it with another type of wood.  Any suggestions on what kind would work best/look nice?

[tenbrook]

Bamboo would be my first choice!

I have a bunch of Bamboo and Ipe I'm trying to trade over in the classified section.

VERY high quality stuff.  If you want a few pieces of the Boo hit me up with a trade offer.

thanks

tenbrook

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=001440;p=1#000007

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

Hickory, hickory, hickory. Dont worry about your Ipe grain too much.

[soopernate]

I also prefer bamboo..in fact that is what I am building.  If you are sold on wood for a backing then yes use HICKORY!!!

[Steve B.]

Pearl, would you worry about the grain even if not backed?
Don't let me hijack but I'm picking up some IPE today and want to know about backing, or not.  I'm thinking sinew, if necessary, because I have some.  The bow will be a D shape, handle-working, but I'd like to not back it if possible.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I wouldnt mess with Ipe unbacked, thats just my opinion.

[soopernate]

I have only heard of a couple unbacked ipe successes.  Rich Saffold I think built one a while back that was featured in a primitive magazine.  My daughter has one that she has been shooting that is backed by black denim.  HOWEVER, I have heard of more failures than successes with unbacked ipe...and most of them were pretty large explosions that were pretty sudden in nature.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I wouldn't build an ipe board bow unless I backed it. I wouldn't wast good sinew on it either.

 Needs backed with boo or hickory.

[Steve B.]

That's the feedback I needed....thanks alot.

[Blackie76]

I have access to so hickory, so I think I'll go with that.  Thanks all!

[Traxx]

That unbacked Ipe bow,in Rich Saffolds article,was built by Bob Osceola.

[soopernate]

I bet those native peoples that use it for bows down in south america do not back it.....but they are much better bowyers than I am too.

[Pat B]

Those South American Natives don't build their bow with boards. Big difference.
  I would use hickory over boo. IMO it is more durable and less feniky...plus a lot easier to build.

[Cuban Missile]

True that.  Much easier than boo.

[soopernate]

Truth Pat...of course they don't use boards.  I would someday like to see them building with that hard wood before it all disappears though.  Would be interesting to see how they split...shape...and tiller it.  Probably something to learn there ya know.

[nlester]

Does hickory backing need to be straight grained?

[fujimo]

i spoke to a guy from brazil- he said it is a large tree, with beautiful yellow flowers with a strong scent, and they are often left standing in the fields as shade trees.
that gives us some hope i geuss.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Just my own personal experience is much the same as everyone has already stated, but I've wasted a couple of boo backings due to the strength of Ipe. If I had it to do over again I would have used hickory as a backing because of the strength it would add versus bamboo. If it's not perfectly tillered the Ipe will over power the boo backing and make some quick splinters out of it. Also I would never use Ipe without a backing of some sort.