Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Grunt on September 29, 2010, 06:36:56 pm

Title: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: Grunt on September 29, 2010, 06:36:56 pm

Ok all you sinew heads, I got to learn how to back with tendon. What is the best glue?  Knocks gelatin or hide glue? The bow will be a hickory self bow, degreased and roughed to give it a little "tooth"

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: HoBow on September 29, 2010, 06:47:40 pm

Technically, they are more or less the same and many people say they can not tell the difference....others won't touch Knox.  ???

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: xin on September 29, 2010, 08:34:30 pm

I believe Knox gelatin is nothing more than defunked hide glue.  The business part is the same molecule.

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: mullet on September 29, 2010, 08:45:19 pm

 I like hide glue, Knox is Jello.

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: sailordad on September 29, 2010, 10:42:35 pm

i seen on "hows it made" how they make knox gelatin
seemed to me it was just flavored hide glue  :-\

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: JW_Halverson on September 29, 2010, 11:40:09 pm

I've made hide glue, I've made glue from sinew scraps, I've bought hide glue, I've used Knox unflavored gelatin and have yet to really find any great difference.  My last sinew job was generic gelatin, because I'm seriously broke these days.  Worked great. 

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: Marc St Louis on September 29, 2010, 11:46:23 pm

Pig skin is the most common source of commercial gelatine

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: El Destructo on September 30, 2010, 02:21:51 am

                                                                                    I eat my J-E-L-L-O............ ;D

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: Grunt on September 30, 2010, 09:35:57 am

Thanks for all the replies guys. Looks like I'll hit the grocery store for my glue. One other question. After the sinew is completely dry what do you use to topcoat and waterproof?

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: Justin Snyder on September 30, 2010, 10:15:07 am

It all depends on what you think makes the best glue. Do you want hide glue or just animal glue. Hide glue is stronger than bone glue, but strength is also affected by cooking and preparation method.
Here is a graph of what knox is made from:

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: Pat B on September 30, 2010, 12:41:38 pm

I've used a thin layer of TBIII over sinew/hide glue(also knox) to seal it before adding snake skins. Be sure the sinew/glue and bow wood are completely dry before sealing it! The dry wood will absorbe moisture from the sinew/glue.

Title: Re: Knocks Gelatin or hide glue?
Post by: mullet on September 30, 2010, 03:24:22 pm

 James Parker uses spray on upholstery glue over sinew to attach snake skins.