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Author Topic: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?  (Read 3680 times)

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Offline Youngboyer2(billyf)

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Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« on: February 06, 2012, 07:44:52 pm »
For extra strength and security can you/should you put rawhide over sinew?... Just wondering
« Last Edit: February 06, 2012, 08:23:38 pm by Youngboyer »
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Offline sadiejane

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2012, 07:55:26 pm »
can speak to the 'extra strength and security' but i know ed scott(owl bows) puts rawhide over most all his sinew backed bows...
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2012, 10:23:28 pm »
Very thin rawhide over top sinew is just fine.  BUT you should let it cure for about a month before putting on the rawhide or you may have all of it just get moldy!

The rawhide will soak up some finish such as polyurathane or oil type finishes and help keep the sinew from absorbing moisture, too.
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Offline mullet

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2012, 10:46:55 pm »
Personally I'd do one or the other. Sinew does the same as rawhide but adds bow performance as long as you use hide glue that shrinks over time. Using both slows down the performance with extra weight. If nothing else, put on about three layers of sinew and watch your poundage go up.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2012, 02:49:27 am »
You are not going to improve upon the strength of sinew by putting rawhide over it, but it will create a better surface on which to paint a design if that is what you want.
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Offline Youngboyer2(billyf)

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2012, 10:33:12 am »
I was also hoping that the rawhide would keep the sinew from being damaged and peeling up
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"You speak Treason!" "Fluently"-Robin of Locksley
When people ask "why didn't you do that the first time" you can be sure that they  have never made a bow before.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2012, 10:39:48 am »
A good finish will protect the sinew without the rawhide.
  I built a sinew backed hickory and a raw hide covering. It worked fine but wasn't necessary...except I was copying a bow Jay Massey built.
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Offline bolsjedyr

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2012, 06:29:07 pm »
I have seen it done on an old hornbow - it's an antique, so the owner didn't dare shoot it though.
Anyway - I'd go for birch bark for protection - keeps moisture out.
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Offline nativenoobowyer86

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Re: Can you put rawhide over sinew backing?
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2012, 08:11:33 pm »
i am heading out to collect some birchbark for my sinew/yew trade bow, if I fail i will be fine with finishing over the sinew.  :D  it makes an attractive water resistant cover for sinew,  but i would have used rawhide and a design if i had some rawhide thin enough for the job :)

Matt
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