My Pa and I each ordered a hick. backing from them 3 years ago. Both strips had a small spot where there was a runoff. Dad went ahead and made me a r/d longbow, yellowheart board backed with the hick. Shot the bow for a coupla months but the bad spot on the hick lifted. Repaired it with lots of artificial sinew and superglue. Shot it a coupla more months before the dreaded "tick" sound.
The next shot she blew. The yellerheart was still fine. The big crack in the backing led right to the bad spot.
Not complaining 'bout 3R. They're great. Even at their price, it still makes for an economical bow compared to buying one already made. I think the problem is that they don't cut their own backing, and simply sell it. So they aren't checking for flaws.
So go ahead and order it, make sure you check for flaws before using it. Find any, send it back. And I don't think rawhide allows for Perry Reflexing like Hick. or 'Boo backing will. Rawhide holds thing together, otherwise it's just along for the ride and not for increasing performance. Not that it isn't good or have it's place.
