ERC stave

[JW_Halverson]

So I got a lovely Eastern Red Cedar stave from Ty Branton. It was just cut a few months ago, so it will nap quietly in the corner for a few years first. It has a metric crapload of sapwood and I am considering using a bandsaw to shear it off.

My question is whether a sapwood only ERC bow would be worth pursuing?

[Pappy]

Sap wood makes a great bow, in fact the only true self bows from ERC I have made was sap wood, heart wood will make a bow but be sure and wear a helmet when tillering, I blame my short draw problem on starting on with ERC heart wood. 
 Pappy

[Hamish]

JW, Those rings look quite thick, easy enough to follow a growth ring. You could take off enough sapwood, leaving 1 or2 sapwood rings for a backing.

[JW_Halverson]

JW, Those rings look quite thick, easy enough to follow a growth ring. You could take off enough sapwood, leaving 1 or2 sapwood rings for a backing.

I've thought of that, too. Maybe a thin doe rawhide backing over the sapwood for a measure of insurance?

[Pat B]

I got to shoot an ERC all sapwood ELB a few years ago and I was impressed. It took a small amount of set after many shots and if I remember correctly it was 45#@28".
 If you have enough heartwood I think sinew backing is the way to go. I wouldn't use heartwood only for a selfbow.

[willie]

given that the demarcation between sapwood and heartwood in erc doesnt always follow  a grownth ring, can anyone say with experience whether there is much benifit to having sapwood on the back?

if some heartwood is exposed when reducing the sapwood, maybe not such a problem, especially if backed with sinew or such?
https://sapwoodwoorks.com/cdn/shop/files/image_50422273.jpg?v=1713968033&width=1946

[Hamish]

Saxton Pope highly rated ERC backed with hickory, so that's another option. What style of bow do you want to make JW?

[pierce_schmeichel]

Definitely back the bow with sinew.

[Stickhead]

I’ve made my share of ERC self bows, and they are definitely high-risk.   That said, I’ve found that the sapwood helps in tension, while the heartwood is better under compression to limit set, a bit like yew.  It is possible, but difficult, to follow a ring, but if you can manage it and keep roughly 50/50 sapwood to heartwood thickness, you’ll have a good chance of an optimal ERC self bow.  And it’ll look gorgeous!

[PaulN/KS]

The sapwood is the "best" part for making a bow but the heartwood smells nicest. 
I seem to remember Ryan Yoon making/working on a ERC bow at Mojam some years back..?
I believe he backed it though in the end.

[JW_Halverson]

Saxton Pope highly rated ERC backed with hickory, so that's another option. What style of bow do you want to make JW?

Haven't a clue. It was only cut a few months ago, so I believe it should spend two years talking to my before any decisions get made