Why back a bow?

[dkicker]

This is a question that has haunted my dreams lately.

Why back a bow and what does a bowyer look for in a backing?

[jipp]

well to me these are the reasons to back a bow.

1: reliabilty.

example. y ou could be out in the sticks hunting with a selfbow, and you nock it real good. you pull back on that dream buck. but that nock you took on the back of the bow has thrashed a fiber or two. you pull back next thing you know the top limb is hitting you in the head. OUCH.

2: holding a bow toguther.

example. you have a peice of wood rings are all viloted. probably would not make a selfbow. ie.. would blow up on the tillering tree even with careful tillering. so you back it, and now the peice of wood that would of been firewood makes a realible hunting bow.

3: performance

example. now not all backs are equal. performance, id say wood backed, or boo backed. matching the closes wooods in tension and compresion to make the ideal peice of woods. there are very few woods that are ideal in tension and compresion. osage seems to come to mind and yew.

so by backing the belly would with a complimetry backing wood you can gain performance.

also with a backing you can gain some reflex glued in. less likley to pull out if you were just to steam in reflex/ or use dry heat. depending on the type of wood would dictate the method used to add reflex.

i love bamboo, and it makes a durable and can add performance in a backing.

4 cosmetic.

example. you can glue a camo patern fabric on to give your bow a cool looking back and it will add protection. but wont add to the performance.

5 murpys law

well lets just say i have the worse luck ever. i like the extra protection/confidence.

now im by no mean a expert in this but what iv mention are some valid points. please take the ideas and do further reading and come to your own sound conclusions. :) and pass on what you learn. keep the stick building alive.

I'm just a hack who use to play with a lot of wood.

i perferd building tri-lam bamboo backed bows. great performers and pretty simple to build. and almost garenteed a bow every time; you really have to mess up to mess up a tri-lam bamboo backed bow.

[dkicker]

thank you for a good response