Backings

[stuckinthemud]

Looking at birches, some commentators recommend using a backing.  I understand that sinew is a working part of a bow.  I guess rawhide probably improves bow performance too.  Do other backings improve bow performance, or are they more in way of preventing splinters lifting and/or looking pretty - I'm thinking of silk, bark, thick brown paper. Also, skins (fish/snake) are they working (improve performance) or decorative/protective?

[WhistlingBadger]

Rawhide, in my limited experience, doesn't improve bow performance; if anything it slightly slows it.  But it will keep a splinter from lifting.  Most American snake skins are decorative, not really strong enough to provide much protection except from moisture (that's why they're commonly added to sinew-backed bows).   Bamboo will boost draw weight and performance.  Not sure about wood backings, but I suspect they do the same.  Most of the others you mention provide protection but don't help performance.

[Pappy]

What WB said, other than sinew most of the others mentioned will help hold down splinters, snake skins not so much and are really just good to pretty a bow up.
 Pappy

[superdav95]

I just posted on your other thread about this too regarding birch.  We have lots of it here.  I think a lot of the tree environments and conditions factor into how good the wood will be.  I’ve been wanting to test out this theory having recently moved to southern Alberta where it is very windy much of the time.  In fact a lot of folks complain about the wind here and really wish it weren’t so windy.  I came here from southern Ontario were it was not really that windy but way more humid.  When we got a storm with gusts of wind we would get lots of downed trees.  So my theory is that this from day one wind resistance may yield a better bow???  We shall see.  As far as birch goes we have a good amount of it here that is fairly straight.  I’m gonna fire harden one here this year and see how it does.  I may sinew back it to boost performance if needed. 

[Pat B]

We have sweet birch here(wintergreen) but not the best for bows. I think I've heard that yellow birch is the strongest of the birches.
As far as backings I agree with WB. I have used hickory(my favorite), elm and maple for backing. All worked well.Hickory backed Osage makes a sweet shooting bow.

[WhistlingBadger]

I just posted on your other thread about this too regarding birch.  We have lots of it here.  I think a lot of the tree environments and conditions factor into how good the wood will be.  I’ve been wanting to test out this theory having recently moved to southern Alberta where it is very windy much of the time.  In fact a lot of folks complain about the wind here and really wish it weren’t so windy.  I came here from southern Ontario were it was not really that windy but way more humid.  When we got a storm with gusts of wind we would get lots of downed trees.  So my theory is that this from day one wind resistance may yield a better bow???  We shall see.  As far as birch goes we have a good amount of it here that is fairly straight.  I’m gonna fire harden one here this year and see how it does.  I may sinew back it to boost performance if needed.

We have some river birch here in the riparian areas; the kind with dark brown to maroon bark.  The bark is really pretty for crafting or to use as a canvas to paint on, but it doesn't want to split paper thin.  As far as bow making, it's usually more of a shrub, but occasionally I see stems that are long enough and straight enough, 2-3" diameter.  I really need to try it sometime...I have more potential projects than I have time. 

I cut a piece one time that really felt like it wanted to be an ELB.  I might still have it in the pile, but I think I made it into walking sticks instead.