HBO reference

[Hermon]

I thought that I had a book with a chapter on hickory backed osage bows, but I can't seem to find which one it is.  Does anyone have a good reference for building one?  I did a search on here and came up empty.

[Pat B]

Dean Torges' "Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow" has info that can be used with hickory backings.
 Hickory backing is quite simple. Ask specific questions and we'll try to answer them for you.

[Hermon]

Mainly some dimensions to shoot for to come up with a bow about 50#.  And recommended length.

[Pat B]

1 3/8" to 1 1/2" at the fades and either a straight taper to the tips(pyramid) or go out 6" then taper to tips. 60" to 66"(66" for 28"+).
 I like to start with thickish belly, 3/4" or so and 1/8" hickory backing strip. Glue it up with 3" of Perry reflex.
 By starting with 3/4" thick osage you can ad a handle riser and not worry about it popping off. If your osage is thinner you can add a power lam between the back and belly to keep the handle area from bending as you draw....or you can make a bendy handle bow.

[Hermon]

Thanks

[Bowjunkie]

1/2" of osage with a 1/8" hickory backing can make a 64", 70# bow, with no power lam, with a finished width of 1 1/8 - 1 1/4", with no threat of the handle popping off, in either a reflex or deflex/reflex profile. I wouldn't glue it up with the osage 3/4" thick, but that's just me.

What draw length?

I agree that Dean's dvd is a wonderful resource for these kinds of bows.

The key to a secure glue joint for adding wood to the handle lies in surface prep, glue choice, and gluing technique... and to a lesser degree, how it's tillered. Done well, the glue joint will hold just fine even if it bends some into the joint.

[Hermon]

"What draw length?"

27"

[Pat B]

I guess I forgot to mention I pre-tiller the belly so it takes a nice even bend when drawing into the Perry reflex.