Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: ricktrojanowski on January 11, 2009, 09:41:41 pm

Title: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: ricktrojanowski on January 11, 2009, 09:41:41 pm

I am attempting a few primitive arrows and want to do a bear grease finish.  Problem is I'm fresh out of bear fat. ;).  Do I just rub in some lard for the finish or is there more to it than that?

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: Pat B on January 12, 2009, 12:38:54 am

I used bear grease for a finish on the yew bow I hunted with this year. All I did was hand rubbed it and the friction of that heated it up. You could also start with warm shafts so it will penetrate better. If you are not tying on your fletching you will want to fletch first or the glue may not stick.
   I use pine pitch varnish on primitive arrows. Just dissolve pine pitch in denatured alcohol(or Shannon's mouth oil), strain it through some cloth and it is ready to use. You will want to start with hard, dry pitch.    Pat

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: ricktrojanowski on January 12, 2009, 06:34:22 am

I like the pitch varnish idea.  I think I'll give that a go.

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: huntertrapper on January 12, 2009, 11:22:09 pm

yes! i use lard works well and the smell of bacon goes away after a bit. the water beads off the wood. coated couple of my bows with it too.

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: Hillbilly on January 13, 2009, 08:52:20 am

I use bear grease on primitive arrows, I do it like Pat-warm it up, rub in several coats over a period of time. Most grease finishes are an ongoing thing instead of a one-shot deal.

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: JackCrafty on January 13, 2009, 01:49:26 pm

I got a jar of bear grease (in a trade) and it's still sittin' there.....maybe some day I'll open it.  I'm afraid it might spoil.  Maybe I'll wait until I have 1000 arrows waiting to be finished at the same time. ::)

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: Pat B on January 15, 2009, 11:45:45 pm

Patrick,  I was keeping my bear grease in the basement frig(with all the other good stuff) for a while but for the last month or so its been sitting out. I haven't notices and rancid smell from it at all.

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: JackCrafty on January 16, 2009, 01:13:14 pm

Hmmm...thanks Pat...that makes me feel better.  That jar of bear grease is looking pretty good now.... :)

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: El Destructo on January 16, 2009, 06:49:29 pm

Patrick...if the Grease was rendered down properly...you should have no Problems with it sitting ...as long as it is cool....you know what I mean since you live in Texas also!! I keep mine in the Pantry in the House.....I covered the Jars that I am not using with Parafin Wax to seal them....the other is just sitting there with a piece of Press and Seal on it...two years old and still smells like the Day it was rendered...you can do the same with Pork Fat...as long as it is rendered down properly and separated

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: JackCrafty on January 16, 2009, 07:39:13 pm

Sounds good Destructo.  Thanks.

Title: Re: "Bear" Grease finish question.
Post by: Hillbilly on January 18, 2009, 11:08:01 am

Yeah, I keep it in the fridge, lasts a long, long time.