Hickory Backed Ash or Ash Backed Hickory

[97dend]

So I have two boards one ash and the other hickory that I am going to attempt a bow from. The ash grain is not the greatest with lots of run off and looks to be sapwood and heartwood mixed. The hickory grain is pretty good but not perfect.

My question is which piece should I use for the bow and which should I use for the backing? Or should I scrap the idea and maybe use the hickory backed with something else?

Forgive me if this doesn't make sense I am a newbie

Thanks for any input.

[Lil' Bow Pete]

You could try one of each.

[psychmonky]

How thick are the boards? And do you have a way to resaw them? I don't know much about ash, but hickory backed hickory is popular.

[Pat B]

If you have enough hickory make a hickory backed hickory. Saw off the backing strip and flip it end to end so its grain opposes the grain of the belly and glue it up in Perry reflex.

[PEARL DRUMS]

What Pat said. Ash can be finicky and if you have run ups, outs and ins on that board you may be in trouble before you start.

[okie64]

X2 what pat said. Ash sucks in compression.

[97dend]

Thanks Guys I really appreciate the info. I think I will try the hickory backed hickory. One question and forgive me this may sound dumb but when you say flip end to end. Do I flip it over so then I'm gluing the cut side to the original finish or to I spin it around so I am gluing the cut I just made back together just with opposing grain.or maybe it doesn't matter as long as the grain is opposing itself.

I hope that makes sense.

[WILL CAROTHERS]

By flip, i think Pat means to glue it up into some kind of reflex, so as to prevent a lot of set and add performance, I would second the use of perry reflexing, Its hard to explain, but the premise is simple so it shouldnt be hard to find info, or for the rest of the more experienced guys to chime in.

[gringol]

I have heard that ash is great in tension, but subpar in compression.  If that is true, could ash backed hickory be better (under the right conditions) than HBH?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Hickory is stronger in both compression and tension that ash. It wouldnt be a better bow, but it would make a bow.

[gringol]

thanks, PD

[psychmonky]

Flip it end to end, regardless of any reflex you glue in. Opposing grain will be stronger.

[97dend]

Originally posted by WILL CAROTHERS:
By flip, i think Pat means to glue it up into some kind of reflex, so as to prevent a lot of set and add performance, I would second the use of perry reflexing, Its hard to explain, but the premise is simple so it shouldnt be hard to find info, or for the rest of the more experienced guys to chime in.

Thanks again everyone for the help, I have been searching on the Perry Reflex. I have never heard of it until this thread but I thing I understand it enough to at least give it a shot.

I have a 3/4 inch thick piece of hickory that I will cut a piece of backing off turn the backing around. Imagine two people lying head to head facing each other and then switching head two toe but still facing each other (does that sound right) sorry that's the only way I can explain it   :D

Also is 3/4 thick enough to be able to cut a backing and still have enough to work with? How thin should the backing be?

You guys on here are the great, thanks again. this kind of info really helps a newbie out

[Pat B]

You got the flipped thing, head to toe. You should have plenty of wood. Even with the kerf removed you should still end up wit 5/8" which should be plenty.
  There is some info about Perry reflex in TBBI, in the Performance and Design chapter, I think or vmaybe under "Backings".

[97dend]

Thanks, I have that book. I will l check it out. Do you have to use a hot box when doing a Perry Reflex are there any disadvantages to not using one?

[PEARL DRUMS]

You dont need a hot box with TBIII or URAC.

[97dend]

cool thanks!

[PEARL DRUMS]

Shoot for a 68-72 degree room if you can help it.

[97dend]

Will do

[vanillabear?]