[LostHawg]

The boo will add to the draw weight. Not sure how much.

Now, you can use hickory by itself, but as I said, I've known it to get splinters in it. Also, hickory will develop string follow, so you'll have to let it down after shooting. The boo will help this a little, the other backings even less. I think rawhide would be good for countering set too, but not sure how much. Linen and sinew will do what the wood tells it to do, but will guard against the splintering.

There are those who are much more knowledgeable about this than I am. Seek them out. Bob Sarrels would be a good mind to pick. I HIGHLY recommend him. He's good folks. ..and a great bowyer to boot.