i have built 42 board bows so far and have had 5 that broke during the shoot in and 3 that broke while tillering. used red oak, maple, and hickory from windsor or home depot. i found with the oak that it's best to use a backing of sorts, linen, rawhide, hell my main hunting bow has an old camo t-shirt for a backing and it is 6yr old and shooting strong.
ill probably be making a couple hickory selfbows this winter if i can get a shaving horse made up.
come summer i will be ventureing into the laminated glass and wood bows. new adventure. but i will probably always build the boardbows, they are fun, fast, and easy. and cheap.
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