unfinished longbow question

[alteredbeast]

I seen somebody on the auction site selling unfinished bows for a reasonable price has anyone here tried them they are hickory. I was thinking of trying one as i have not been able to locate any good hickory. ples I don't have a bandsaw or tablesaw or belt sander or drum sander...

[macbow]

There have been some good ones around and starting that way you could probably finish with mostly sand paper and a cabinet scraper.

I've also seen some complaints about hickory bow blanks some are not too good at using good grained boards.

[alteredbeast]

thought about that might put on a backing just to be on the safe side

[john fletch]

If the grain does not run out of the board, you stand a chance of getting a decent self bow out of a Hickory board - whether plain sawn or quarter sawn.  If there is uneven grain or grain runout you had batter add a good backing.  I have used a 1/8" thick straight grain Hickory backer board and I love bamboo of about the same dimension.  Be very careful for grain loops that most likely came from a branch knot. The grain can lift and 'blow' at this spot.  No near as bad if it can be placed in the thick part near the handle.

If you are buying from an online source you are at risk since you cannot see the board up close and I have found pictures to be deceiving.

I have some good floor tillered and you-finish staves on hand if you are interested send me a pm

[alteredbeast]

pm sent john