sinew for a bowstring

[luke the drifter]

i found a web site that sells deer backstrap sinew 15 to 20 inches long and 2 to 2.25 inches wide.  how many strips would it take make a string 72 inches plus for a 40 to 50 lbs osage bow?  just curious.  i know b-50 dacron would make a better string but i want to stay primitive as possible.

[loefflerchuck]

2 is enough for me

[El Destructo]

I have made 4 Museum Quality Bow Sets...with Sinew Strings....and I have 3 Bows of my own with Sinew....I'll stick to my B50......

[luke the drifter]

loefflerchuck,


how thick would the string be if two would be enough? 

[ricktrojanowski]

I usually use about 1 1/2 backstraps for a string for a 56" bow or less.  I make them 2 ply and a little thicker than a B 50 for a 50# +/- bow.  If you can get 4 and that way if the first one fails you have more material.  Check out "Jackcraftys" how to on sinew bowstings.  That is how I learned.

[luke the drifter]

rick,

   remind me again what 2-ply means and then i will remind myself how absent-minded and forgetful i am. i should already know this but i am getting older.


luke

[dalerj]

Luke, 2ply means the string is made up of 2 cables as opposed to 3, 4 or 7. Take a look at some rope. Twisted rope is most often made of 3 cables. This is 3 ply. Does that help? Dalerj

[luke the drifter]

dalerj,

absolutely, it helps.  i thank you.

luke