Question about linen backing

[yellow feather]

Is the linen you get at a fabric shop, what you would use for backing a bow and how many layers.David

[Pat B]

David, Yes!  I wouldn't use a heavy linen but a regular garment linen is plenty strong enough...especially after you glue it down. You only need one layer in most cases. The purpose is to protect the back of a violated bow and/or to keep splinters from lifting. It will not add any performance to the bow.
   TBIII is a good glue to use.     Pat

[DanaM]

David one layer is plenty but get the good stuff 100% linen, they also sell lesser quality linen at the fabric shop.
Ask the ladies for help I think they get a kick out of guys shopping for fabric

[yellow feather]

Thanks Pat ,Dana, that's what I needed to know.David

[david w.]

i bought a HUGE peice of linen from goodwill. linen is a suberb backing i really like it

[Marc St Louis]

What people don't realize is that most of the canvas that you buy is actually made of cotton

[El Destructo]

Is the linen you get at a fabric shop, what you would use for backing a bow and how many layers.David

David not necessarily...make sure that this is true Linen...lots of the Linen that they sell at Wal-Mart....Hobby Lobby...etc....is really Cotton or Hemp....not Flax.....Flax is 2-3 times stronger than Cotton....although Hemp would work....I would make sure to ask them if it is a True Flax Linen....JMO........Yankee

[mullet]

  For $20 I bought 9 yards of natural silk at the fabrick store.

[Pat B]

Makin' nighties, Eddie?      Pat

[El Destructo]

Makin' nighties, Eddie?      Pat

Now thats a Scary thought Pat....more than I needed at this close to Bedtime!!!!!!!!!!!

[Justin Snyder]

  For $20 I bought 9 yards of natural silk at the fabrick store.

Its hard to beat silk for strength.  Justin

[El Destructo]

Just make sure that the piece is cut the right way....I once bought some from Hobby Lobby....and it was a remnant....it was cut widthwise...instead of Lengthwise....and you could pull it apart with your fingers!!!!...I had no idea that there would be a difference in the Strength either way....or maybe it was some junky Silk....who knows....just pull on it to see if it tears!!!!

[Sidewinder]

If a guy were to back a bow with silk or linen and then put skins on the back , will that add too much weight to make it worthwhile? If not I think it might behoove me to do that on some of the board bows or even some thin ringed beau d'arc I'm gonna work with. I saw some seriously cool snake backed bows this weekend at Ojam and I am sold on that look.   Danny

[Pat B]

Danny, It shouldn't be a problem. It will add a little extra weight (physical) but if you reduce the width of your tips you could counter act that weight.     Pat

[El Destructo]

Danny ...the Bow I just took my Turkeys with this Weekend....was a Sycamore Board Bow...backed with Rawhide...and then Snake Skinned....it is fast as lightning....and looks way cool too!!