Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: tgr on September 19, 2010, 09:10:16 pm

Title: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: tgr on September 19, 2010, 09:10:16 pm

I am planning on backing this short stave 60" with deer hide.  I have three strips which should do the trick.  My question is when should I back it?  I have floor tillered and started to pull the stave on my tillering contraption. No where near complete.

Tom R

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 19, 2010, 10:24:53 pm

I back right after long string tillering and before I string it with the short string. Jawge

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: tgr on September 19, 2010, 10:59:21 pm

Thanks George.  I thought so.  I didn't want to continue tillering and risk a very light bow before putting on the backing.  I also saw posts regarding flesh side down.  Does that mean that the side that had hair on in would be up?
Thanks.
Tom

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: Pat B on September 20, 2010, 12:35:00 am

Tom, a hair on deer hide isn't an effective backing and is probably detrimental to the performance of the bow because of the extra dead weight it will add. Is your deer hide a raw hair on hide or a tanned hide?

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: adb on September 20, 2010, 01:06:56 am

Quote from: tgr on September 19, 2010, 09:10:16 pm

I am planning on backing this short stave 60" with deer hide.  I have three strips which should do the trick.  My question is when should I back it?  I have floor tillered and started to pull the stave on my tillering contraption. No where near complete.

Tom R

When you say deer hide, do you mean rawhide?

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: tgr on September 20, 2010, 08:21:49 am

Hair was removed, then hide was dried.
TR

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: Pappy on September 20, 2010, 08:35:19 am

Yes the side that had the hair on it needs to go out. Eve tho I ant sure it matters if the raw hide is good and slick.  :)  Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference after you wet it.At least it is for me. :) 
   Pappy

Title: Re: Hide backing a short oak stave
Post by: tgr on September 20, 2010, 02:42:38 pm

THanks.  I saw a you-tube regarding sizing first.  I don't have one continuous strip. I have three. 

TR