Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jthompson1995 on April 19, 2009, 09:31:40 am
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Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to the forum, but made my first bow (hickory selfbow, 66" ntn, 55#@26") and am hooked.
I'm working on my second bow and have a question. It's a red oak board bow with Bolivian rosewood riser and tip overlays and I'm wondering if I need to back it. The board is from homedepot and the grain is pretty much perfectly straight, even 1/8" rings, the rings on the end grain are at about 45 degrees and it only had 2 rings run off the edge on a 6' length, no swirls or waves. I wasn't planning on buying any wood there, but I couldn't pass up this piece.
I bought some navy blue linen to back it as I had seen many red oak board bows with some kind of backing, linen mostly. As I've been reading posts on PA, I've seen a bunch of recommendations that, if red oak is straight enough, it doesn't need a backing. The oak is gorgeous and I don't know if I want to cover the grain on the back if I don't have to. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.
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Not all board bows need a backing. It depends on the grain, not only the end grain or the run offs(or lack of them) along the back but also the side grain. Even with a linen backing a bow is noy immune to breakage. These backings just give you a bit more of a chance for success.
Check out George Tsoukalas' site about board bows. He goes into the proper grain configuration for board bows.
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if your board is as good as you say, probably ok without backing. however if you do back it with the linen it would give some insurance and confidence. I m sure you put lots of time and effort in it. BTW were going to need some pics. its the rules!!!
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Thanks for the advice. The grain is tright down the sides of the board as well. I might back it just in case and it might end up looking pretty cool anyway.