Author Topic: best time to back a bow  (Read 2242 times)

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Offline furdressing1

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best time to back a bow
« on: April 05, 2011, 05:57:10 pm »
What is the best time to back a bow? After tillering is complete, after it is roughed to shape and tillering has not started, halfway through? I want to use rawhide as I don't have any sinew. Does the type of backing matter as to when it is applied?
  Thanks
   Dale

Offline Eric Garza

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2011, 06:14:43 pm »
The honest reply is:  before it breaks.

I tend to back the bow after it's been largely tillered, but others back before they even start tillering and their bows seem to come out fine. 

Offline DarkSoul

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 09:02:12 pm »
"Does the type of backing matter as to when it is applied?"
Yes, it does.

Most of the time, somewhere early in the tillering process is a good time. A wooden backing often needs to be applied earlier, as the backing will seriously effect tiller and increase drawweight. A rawhide backing is often applied at or right after floor tillering.

A light backing that is mainly for looks (snakeskin, silk, feather, bark...) is usually applied at the very end, when tillering is finished.
"Sonuit contento nervus ab arcu."
Ovid, Metamorphoses VI-286

Offline zenmonkeyman

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2011, 11:25:04 pm »
Make sure you do any heat-treating before backing.
If the ppl ever allow private banks to control their currency, 1st by inflation, then by deflation, the banks & corporations that will grow up around (these banks) will deprive the ppl of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. Thomas Jefferson

Offline crooketarrow

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 09:49:55 am »
    I very seldom back bows anymore. It depended on the backing. But I'd get mine to floor tiller if I was putting on wood,boo, or sinew. Some other backings that did'nt afect the tiller and could wait. I'D wait untill I stained or varinish the bow put on then finish over the backing.
  ZEN is right it your going to use any heat do it before you add the backing.
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2011, 12:09:28 pm »
When I do a backing it is before I string the stave with the short string. Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline furdressing1

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Re: best time to back a bow
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2011, 12:43:08 pm »
Thanks Guys, I appreciate the help.
  Dale