Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Shooter on November 05, 2007, 07:40:32 pm

Title: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: Shooter on November 05, 2007, 07:40:32 pm

Has anyone here ever used 1/4 sawn ash to back a bow?

I used to core my fiberglass recurves with it and have a bunch of 1/4" x 1 1/2" pieces taking up space in my shed. It's almost perfectly straght grain through the entire length (58"). I have tried backing with it but both times were failures. I think I went too thick with it and worked it down the same way I work down hickory. Not enough taper...or something else.

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: adb on November 05, 2007, 08:23:27 pm

Ash, in my opinion, is a better belly wood, excelling in compression, rather than tension. Hickory and bamboo are king.

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: Mad Max on July 30, 2013, 09:26:02 am

Quote from: adb on November 05, 2007, 08:23:27 pm

Ash, in my opinion, is a better belly wood, excelling in compression, rather than tension. Hickory and bamboo are king.

Ash for belly wood     1/4 sawn or what??

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: autologus on July 30, 2013, 09:52:56 am

I have wondered about using as a backing myself.  I have however made a very narrow 55" bow pulling 40# that only took about 1/4" set by tempering the belly.  It made a very snappy shooter and this thing has a 28" draw length as well.  1 1/8" wide at the handle tapering down to 1/2" nocks.

Grady

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: autologus on August 02, 2013, 05:54:04 pm

Any opinions on 1/4 sawn Ash for backing?

Grady

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 02, 2013, 09:10:20 pm

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: KellyG on August 02, 2013, 11:24:04 pm

Never used any but it suppose to have the interlocking grains like hickory. So I would guess it would be good. How think is it when you put it on your bow?

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: Danzn Bar on August 02, 2013, 11:25:59 pm

Looks like some great advice from a very experience Mr. St. Louis to me!

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: Mad Max on August 03, 2013, 12:11:38 am

Quote from: Marc St Louis on August 02, 2013, 09:10:20 pm

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

On the belly??

Title: Re: 1/4 Sawn Ash Backing?
Post by: BL on August 03, 2013, 03:10:34 am

Quote from: Mad Max on August 03, 2013, 12:11:38 am

Quote from: Marc St Louis on August 02, 2013, 09:10:20 pm

I've successfully used 1/4 sawn backing strips of White Ash many times.  In fact I have had better success using 1/4 sawn strips as opposed to flat sawn strips

On the belly??

As a backing.  Interesting I was just looking these up tonight.  Thanks again for the inspiration, Marc.  I've got an ash self bow I had worked on and popped a handle.  After seeing these awesome bows, I plan on ripping it down to just a backing and putting it on some yew.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,16031.msg220664.html#msg220664 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,16031.msg220664.html#msg220664)

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=10040.0 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=10040.0)