Friends,
I made 2 hickory bows for my grandsons; they tillered out nicely, but pull at 22# and 26#, so you know they are not too thick. Should I back them? Can't afford snake on kids bows.  Never tried rawhide, but if I did, where's a good source?  Primitive Archer Mag just had an article about backing with linen.  Anybody tried this? Author used PVA glue?  What is that and where do you get it?  If I ordered some rawhide, what's the best adhesive for that? I'll appreciate any help I can get.
Wolfshadow

I've built alot of Hickory boardbows,both backed and unbacked.At the length and weight you made them you should have no problem unbacked.Dry Hickory is mitty tough stuff!

If you made the bows from a stave and didn't violate any growth rings on the back, then the bows should be okay, if tillered properly.

On the other hand, if you made the bows from a board or accidentally cut through a growth ring or two, then the bow(s)' integrity might be in jeopardy. IF that's the case, then a backing would be appropriate here. If it was me, I would go with rawhide. You might try getting one or two of those gigantic rawhide dog bones you find at Wal-Mart or any pet shop. Or, you can go to 3 Rivers' or Kustom King's website and order rawhide from them. If using the dog bone rawhide, take it and soak it in water to soften it up real good and do a search in the bowyers' section on here for backing bows and go from there.

Again, if the bows are tillered properly and were made form a stave with a solid growth ring on the back, the bows should last many, many years.