anyone tried all hickory heartwood?

[Chuck Hoopes]

Iam trying to get one to bend now.  It certainly is alot more resistant than Hickory sapwood bows that I've made.  This heartwood one is 1 1/2" wide to mid limb and tapering to 3/8 tips. It is plenty long -72"-- Iam just suprised that it is so much harder to get bending than sapwood hickorys I. have made that are 1 7/8 wide and 4" shorter (68).  I expected heartwood to be stiffer of course, just didn't think the diff. would be as great as it is.  Anyone else experience this?

[Pat B]

I haven't made a bow with heartwood hickory. It is very hard and more brittle than the sapwood. I have seen backed bows made with it.
  Can you chase a ring on your stave? If not, I would suggest a simple backing of silk, linen or rawhide.

[Roy Steele]

I agree with Pat seen backed bows.I was told that it had to be backed.Never thought to try for it for some reason.

[LoneWolf]

I have one.  Chase it to one ring on the back if possible.  Mine shoots great still and it is about 9 years old.  I think it is 66", 70# @28.  Just have to work it in slow and it makes a tough bow.

[Chuck Hoopes]

Thanks for the suggestions. Ive got it bending nice now-- It is a 72"x1 1/2" bow. I plan tdo back it with silk.  Iam guessing that Hick. Heartwood would make lousy backing? - that only the sapwood is good for backing?  Anyone?

[Dean Marlow]

I just got done splitting a bunch of hickory the last couple of days and I got about a half dozen all heartwood belly splits out of them that look beautiful. I am going to chase a ring on them and try for selfbows out of them. They look just a tough to me as the sapwood staves.Dean

[sulphur]

i have actually have used heartwood as a backing and sapwood on the belly.  made a great looking bow.  poundage was in the mid 30's but it had about 2000 arrows through it.