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    • Sam86
        June 18, 2011 at 6:33 pm
        Post count: 51
        #5752

        this might not be the form to ask but… i just made a 72″ hickory selfbow, it’s 1″ wide and 3/4″ thick (board) i rounded the corners with a rasp and AMO is 70″ it pulls 64# at 28″ shoots of the knuckles and it shoots dead on, at 10 yards i’m shooting 3″ 6 shot groups all day, 2 question…

        1, do i “need” to back it, i have shot about 100 arrows already and it shows no sign at all of breaking..

        2, can you shoot aluminum arrows from a “shoot of the knuckles” bow? i have been shooting my own arrows i made of 3/8″ dowel rod, straighten them and taper the ends to 23/64th (29 1/2″ long) 450 gr total weight, the shoot ok but i have to straighten them all the time and i’m honestly tried of it so, can i shoot aluminum?

      • David Petersen
        Member
          June 18, 2011 at 11:53 pm
          Post count: 2749
          #44413

          IMHO, Yes, the bowmaking forum likely has more informed opinions awaiting you. No, you absolutely do not need to back that bow. And yes, you can shoot aluminums from any bow, though they may not be the best. I like wood arrows with wood bows, both for practical and aesthetical reasons. dp

        • Stephen Graf
          Moderator
            June 19, 2011 at 11:31 am
            Post count: 2429
            #45018

            It’s never too late to back the bow…

            Shoot it like it is, if it does ever start to crack on the back, you can add a rawhide backing and it will be like it never even happened…. 8)

          • wahoo
            Member
              June 19, 2011 at 3:54 pm
              Post count: 420
              #45257

              what Dave said. I have a hickory bow that is not backed and it has to be 15yrs old – shoots great

            • Homer
                June 19, 2011 at 9:10 pm
                Post count: 110
                #45512

                I agree with all three above. Back only if necessary, or yhouwant it for decorative purposes, like a snake skin.

              • Sam86
                  June 19, 2011 at 11:03 pm
                  Post count: 51
                  #45602

                  hey thanks for the good info guys, i’m not gonna back it unless it starts to crack, which i dont think it will… i really like the way this bow is shooting, tons of power to… think i’m gonna put down my recurve and hunt with this bow this year:)

                • George Tsoukalas
                    June 26, 2011 at 1:01 am
                    Post count: 53
                    #52327

                    Yes you can shoot Al if you want to. Your wooden arrows are probably overspined. There’s are making info on my site. Jawge
                    http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

                  • Homer
                      June 26, 2011 at 9:58 pm
                      Post count: 110
                      #53284

                      For those who haven’t checked out George’s website, as I just did, it’s not only packed with great articles on bow and arrow and quiver making, but also tuning and lots more. Very cool and useful. Thanks for providing this good info, Jawge.

                    • George Tsoukalas
                        June 26, 2011 at 10:49 pm
                        Post count: 53
                        #53315

                        You are welcome, Homer. Jawge

                      • Sam86
                          July 5, 2011 at 1:23 am
                          Post count: 51
                          #62490

                          well i got some 11/32nd poc (55-60 spine) shafts from 3 rivers with a 160 grn point they fly great… Thanks for the info guys…. Sam

                        • trapperDave
                            July 6, 2011 at 4:21 pm
                            Post count: 62
                            #7710

                            I have a 1939 Ben Pearson hickory recurve, no backing, could probably shoot it today if I had a mind to (i dont, its a wall hanger)

                            and as for arrow material…I shoot em all, even carbons from my osage selfbow. :O

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