Congratulations to David Hook (Dragonman) of Wales, Great Britain for his Bamboo backed Coconut Bow!
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,23932.0.html
From Dave: Hi everyone, here is my latest bow experiment, maybe its a first? bamboo backed coconut palm, they are both technically grasses so I figured they would be quite compatible... It is 64" ntn. 55#, I glued in 2 1/2" of reflex (perry reflex style...), it returns to 2" immediately after unstringing and goes back to 2 1/4" of reflex by the next day, only took a 1/4" of set ( I'm obssesed with set Grin). It shoots good, on a par with boo backed ipe. Strange material, very heavy and dense but fairly soft to work, almost crumbly texture, difficult to work, hope you like the pics, thanks for looking I tillered the lower limb 1/8" stronger because I noticed a tendency with reflexed bows to take about 1/8" extra set on the lower limb and I would have to keep reversing them to balance them out so we will see what happens!!!
Dave
Congrats David! here are some of the wonderful things others had to say about your fantastic grass bow!
"very good bow dragonman!! i made one similar, years ago, it was very difficult to keep the tiller right. i overtillered the limbs twice chasing them... yours is beautiful,, excellent work" -robustus
"Very nice, i like it ! Nice to see something different" -John K
"Very good Dave. I like when bowyers research new areas of the bow world. Very nice colors and intresting combination. Please keep us posted as to over all performance and durability. Great tiller as well. Congratulations" -Keenan
"I love the figuring in the Coconut...beautiful work and beautiful bow!" -Lee Slikkers
Well done! Never heard of that combo being used." -Medicinewheel