How to make a split hickory ramrod?

[Skychief]

Thanks a lot Roy. Does it matter if the whiter sapwood or darker heartwood is used? Do you have a preference?


Thanks a LOT! Skychief.

 

[Roy]

There is a lot more white wood than the heart wood.. the sap wood is what is used for bows... so that is what I tend to use. I am sure that I have made a few from heart wood though.. :haha:

 

[Skychief]

Thanks very much! :thumbsup:

 

[J.D.]

Hickory is best cut in spring or early summer, otherwise the bark adheres to the sapwood as if it is welded on. The bark will peel of easily when wet, but it's a bear to get off in fall and winter.

Putting the splits in a car with the windows cracked will give the same results as with a hot box.

Peel the bark and stack the billets in the shade, but off of the ground, with stickers separating the layers of splits, 'cause hickory rots pretty quickly if left in contact with the ground.

Many bowyers will work a bow stave down to rough dimensions and let 'em dry for a few weeks in the shade, but exposed to the wind before finishing the bow. It seems that circulating air dries wood faster than sunshine.

God bless

 

[deseeb2001]

It seems that circulating air dries wood faster than sunshine.

Yep, air circulation is the key. Kiln-dried lumber is stacked up with air allowed to move around every side of every piece, which helps the wood dry evenly throughout with less splitting and warping. Direct sun just makes one side dry out faster than the other.