Author Topic: Question about sinewing a green stave  (Read 3689 times)

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Offline osage outlaw

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Question about sinewing a green stave
« on: February 10, 2011, 01:58:07 pm »
I have a hickory stave that was cut and split in October 2010.  It has been stored in my workshop since then.  I have roughed it out and brought it inside the house to dry.  I plan on sinew backing this bow.  Should I wait until it is dry before backing, or could I go ahead and back it now while it is still a little green?  I am really wanting to get this bow finished before the classic.  Thanks for any help.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline HoBow

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2011, 02:37:27 pm »
If past years are an indication, sinew backed hickory may go a bit limp at the Classic. ;)
Jeff Utley- Atlanta GA

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2011, 02:57:13 pm »
That is soooo true, Jeff.  :D  I didn't think about that.  We had 14" in 2 days last year.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2011, 02:59:18 pm »
I was hoping the bowyers almanac would predict dry weather.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2011, 03:05:44 pm »
Your stave should be pretty close to dry or at least it shouldn't take long now. Like I said in the PM it shouldn't be a problem because you have to wait for the sinew/hide glue moisture to evaporate anyway plus green wood is more maliable than dry wood. You will hav to keep your eye on it to be sure as it dries it doesn't warp.
  If I were a betting man, I'd tell you to bring your rain coat to the Classic. It has rained 14 out of 14 years!  :o Last year was just the "Biggie"!  :D
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2011, 10:13:32 pm »
I plan on bringing a few bows to the classic.  This one will be the only sinew backed one. 

Has anyone else sinewed a green stave before?
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline fishfinder401

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2011, 11:08:12 pm »
im new to all this, what is the classic?
warbows and fishing, what else is there to do?
modern technology only takes you so far, remove electricity and then what

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2011, 11:54:53 pm »
The Classic is the Tennessee Classic near Clarkesville TN. Look in the events section for info.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline sailordad

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2011, 11:55:19 pm »
im new to all this, what is the classic?

for people like us here
the CLASSIC is nirvana,i little bit of heaven on earth  ;)

its a trad archery shoot(i believe,i have never been there yet)along with bowmaking,knapping,trading etc etc
i will be there this spring for te first and more than likely not the last time
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Offline fishfinder401

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2011, 12:00:45 am »
im new to all this, what is the classic?

for people like us here
the CLASSIC is nirvana,i little bit of heaven on earth  ;)

its a trad archery shoot(i believe,i have never been there yet)along with bowmaking,knapping,trading etc etc
i will be there this spring for te first and more than likely not the last time
where is it, sounds interesting?
warbows and fishing, what else is there to do?
modern technology only takes you so far, remove electricity and then what

Offline sailordad

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2011, 12:14:21 am »
go to the main page
scroll down and click on the "primitive shoots and events" tab
all the info is there under the thread called "14th tennesse classic"
its all good
i always wanted a harley,untill it became the "thing to ride"
i ride because i love to,not to be part of the crowd

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2011, 12:16:13 am »
30 miles north of Nashville Tenn.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline animus_divinus

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2011, 12:48:27 am »
some makers of composite recurves way back in the day did sinew green wood.. then let it dry and season for two years.... as the sinew shrinks from moisture loss it gives the bow a wicked curvature when unstrung.. so it shouldnt be bad

Offline Bevan R.

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Re: Question about sinewing a green stave
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2011, 12:56:47 am »
Wouldn't you almost need to let it dry is a frame/brace? unless the sinew is very even, it drying will pull a 'green' stave in multiple directions. I think you could end up with a sinewed Barber poll.
Just my logic I guess.
Bowmakers are a little bent, but knappers are just plain flaky.