Question to all bow makers

[fabian]

If I bend bows from split ash WITH bark:
do I need an iron band at the outside of the bow like I need it when bending bows WITHOUT bark ?

Thank you for the answers.

Wolfgang

[Tim Harrigan]

I do not bend my own bows but I can not think of a reason why the bark would prevent the wood from splitting out on the outside radius when bending. The purpose of the band with ends is to prevent the fibers from sliding so far that they separate and split.

[Howie]

The bark replaces the iron band,BUT, although it helps a great deal it is far from 100%. It helps a lot more if you are bending them green rather than with steam.:confused:

[fabian]

@ Tim Harrigan: I think that I read something like that (the bark could help to prevent splitting) in the book of Drew Conroy

@Howie 16976 wrote:

The bark replaces the iron band,BUT, although it helps a great deal it is far from 100%. It helps a lot more if you are bending them green rather than with steam.:confused:

And what’s with bending green AND with steam ?
I have the occasion to get a wind-felled ash this week.
I think that I will try both: without band with bark and with band without bark. 😉

Wolfgang

[Tim Harrigan]

Good idea. Then you can let us know what you find out. Maybe green/steam/bark and green/steam/bark/band as well. If you have the bands and a steam box use every trick you have. It is a lot of work to have it fail.

[fabian]

depending on my profession I have a steam tube for bending Rattan. If I heat it enough I will get even pressure on it.
It will need some experiments but be sure that I will report the results here. 😉

Wolfgang

[Howie]

Fabian
I have never had good luck with Ash but have done a lot of Hichory. If you cut it and do not let it dry, You can split and bend it with the bark on. If you let it dry some you will have to steam it. If you leave it in the steam to long the bark will pop of.:confused:

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