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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bear Heart on January 03, 2008, 11:50:00 PM

Title: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: Bear Heart on January 03, 2008, 11:50:00 PM

Does anyone know if you can leave the bark on while making a hickory selfbow?  I have read that you can back a bow with wild cherry bark.

Title: Re: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: mmgrode on January 04, 2008, 12:09:00 AM

I wouldn't recommend it.  It would look neat, but hickory bark won't hold up to the tension on the back.  It will also make the bow sluggish with all that extra mass from the bark on the limbs.  Take off the bark and cambium layer, then you'll be set. But hey, don't let me stop you if you want to try it!  Good luck, Matt

Title: Re: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: onemississipp on January 04, 2008, 08:31:00 AM

You can leave the cambium layer for a nice looking pattern on the back.

Title: Re: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: John Scifres on January 04, 2008, 08:39:00 AM

I've done it.  It will probably crack.  The cracks I've had didn't chase down into the working wood but the bark came off.  If you decide to leave a bit of the cambrium, that's OK, just don't leave much more than the first layer or it too will crack.

Title: Re: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: Bear Heart on January 04, 2008, 04:41:00 PM

Since I live in rainy western Washington maybe an unbacked hickory bow would be the way to go.

Title: Re: Bark On Selfbow?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 04, 2008, 04:51:00 PM

Remove it as best you can. You can leave a bit of the inner bark or cambium on as John said. Jawge