Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: paulsemp on January 24, 2012, 05:00:40 pm

Title: how is elk leg sinew to work with?
Post by: paulsemp on January 24, 2012, 05:00:40 pm

all the sinew backed bows i have made have been with deer leg sinew (it is cheap). but i find hard to work with. a lot of pounding for very little. work with buffalo once and i loved it, but hard to come by. i know plenty of you have work with elk leg, how is it to work with?

Title: Re: how is elk leg sinew to work with?
Post by: toomanyknots on January 24, 2012, 05:17:08 pm

Cow sinew is easier to come by than deer and it gives you alot more sinew. Like, the hard parts that are stuck to the outside that just don't pound out are alot less with cow, and there is more inside sinew, if you know what I mean. If you can find a good butcher that will do it for you, or at least the backstrap, you can sometimes get fresh stuff for cheap.

Title: Re: how is elk leg sinew to work with?
Post by: JackCrafty on January 25, 2012, 02:28:52 pm

I've used a lot of elk sinew and I like it.  But it's not easier to work with.  Elk leg tendons are just big deer tendons, IMO.  The sinew is a bit tougher, though.  I use it (elk) for bowstrings.

Title: Re: how is elk leg sinew to work with?
Post by: Eric Garza on January 25, 2012, 04:58:51 pm

I don't bother with leg. I use back. Sooooo much easier to work with, regardless of what species you get it from.

Title: Re: how is elk leg sinew to work with?
Post by: paulsemp on January 25, 2012, 05:03:51 pm

i know eric, it's just a lot more money