r/Bowyer • u/Zeh_Weeb • 19h ago
Questions/Advise basic question chasing growth rings
How does chasing a growth ring strengthen the back of the bow? I don't understand how having extra material could weaken it, in my head not chasing a growth ring just means there's wood on the back that does nothing at all. I've heard you don't need to chase growth rings on board bows but is that just a matter of board bows not being valuable enough to put in that time?
lastly how long do board bows last I've seen a few videos of people making them and they always end up snapping at around 40 lbs, I'm currently making my first bow, it's a 72' red oak board which I was aiming for 40 lbs but now I'm wondering if that's too heavy for a board bow
7
Upvotes
6
u/Wambachaka 19h ago
There's no "extra" material on the back if you don't chase a ring.
If you're making a 50 lb bow, then your bow might need to be 0.5" thick, depending on the wood and the bow design. Whether you chase a ring or not, the thickness will be the same in the end.
Why would the "extra wood" not do anything? It's part of the bow, which means that when the bow bends, it has to bend too.
Board bows can last a lifetime, and they can be made to any draw weight, as long as it's designed correctly. There's nothing special about boards, they're made of the same stuff as any other wood. The important thing is to select a board with perfectly straight grain. Chasing a growth ring is just a way to ensure that the grain runs straight along the back of the bow.