Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Chris Grimbowyer on July 20, 2011, 07:56:00 PM

Title: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: Chris Grimbowyer on July 20, 2011, 07:56:00 PM

Hey guys, I was wondering what species of bow woods are acceptable to leaving the bark on the back?

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: SaMbO2 on July 20, 2011, 08:13:00 PM

Plum trees you can.

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: Chris Grimbowyer on July 20, 2011, 08:44:00 PM

Thank you.

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on July 20, 2011, 09:16:00 PM

I've seen cherry backing that still has the bark on, but other than that I'm not real familiar with that style of bows.

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: Pat B on July 21, 2011, 12:36:00 AM

Very few barks should be left on a bows back. The cherry bark backings you see are usually added later. I have seen some plum bows and one hickory bow with the bark(inner bark only for the hickory) left on . Generally most barks are not strong enough in tension and will split under stress and the splits will travel down into the bow wood.

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: blacktailchaser on July 22, 2011, 11:12:00 PM

hazel is good if its a young sapling and the bark is thin..some bark will do good out to a certain draw then they start to crack..

Title: Re: Leaving the bark on.
Post by: Osagetree on July 23, 2011, 06:30:00 AM

Osage saplings with bark left on non-working portion of handle

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/DSC_00635.jpg)
  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Saplingsisters3.jpg)