Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: dylanholderman on July 25, 2020, 07:58:59 am

Title: backing woods?
Post by: dylanholderman on July 25, 2020, 07:58:59 am

hey i think i'm going to give making a backed bow another shot so i'm planning a trip to the hardwood store, what woods should i be looking out for?
i know hickory is the gold standard but iv'e also read that maple and ash are good, any other good backing woods i should look at while i'm there?

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: Pat B on July 25, 2020, 10:57:41 am

I would go with hickory, hard maple, elm(probably won't have it) and ash, in that order...but I've never used any but hickory.

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: vinemaplebows on July 26, 2020, 12:31:00 pm

White oak

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: Pat B on July 26, 2020, 02:38:28 pm

I agree, white oak also.

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: Tommy D on July 26, 2020, 03:02:37 pm

Bamboo!

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: dylanholderman on July 26, 2020, 04:43:50 pm

thanks guys i went to woodcraft today and ended up with white oak.
the hickory they had was crap for bows same with the ash and the only piece of maple i liked was about $90

i also got a wood iv'e never heard of before called Niove, no idea about its property's but it feels pretty dense so i said what the heck if its no good for bows i'll make a guitar or something out of it.

Title: Re: backing woods?
Post by: Hamish on July 26, 2020, 05:40:55 pm

Niove. I have heard  of it, but never used it for a bow, or heard of anyone trying it. I needed to look it up, its sg.88, so quite dense and heavy. Worth a try for a bow, but don't be surprised if its brittle, or chrysals, like many other dense tropical woods. Who knows it might be good?