Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: 15DLongbow on February 23, 2012, 08:04:53 pm

Title: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: 15DLongbow on February 23, 2012, 08:04:53 pm
So, on the bow Im making I'm planning on giving to my cousin as a gift, He's gonna be graduating marine basic training, Now I had the idea of instead of using silk or linen to back it, I was wondering if the Rip-stop Cotton from a pair Marine MARPAT Camo pants would serve well as a backing?
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: DarkSoul on February 23, 2012, 08:23:41 pm
Cotton is a very lousy backing material. Also for strings it is no good. It is relatively weak, even if spun into decent looking yarn. It might look good though, and keep a small splinter down. But I wouldn't rely on cotton as a backing for a bow with violated grain. Linen or silk would be a better fabric when integrity is required.
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: 15DLongbow on February 23, 2012, 09:23:41 pm
the wood i have is a board bow, has 3 growth rings through the entire thickness and has only 1 run off, so it shouldnt need a backing, i was originally gonna try it unbacked
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: bubby on February 23, 2012, 09:28:12 pm
if you don't need to back it just try and get the lightest weight material you can , Bub
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: Bernal on February 24, 2012, 11:08:38 am
If it doesn't need a backing then don't back it. There's no rule that says you have to.
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: bubby on February 24, 2012, 05:07:38 pm
i think he wanted the camo as his cousin is a Marine, Bub
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: Tortoise on February 25, 2012, 02:49:35 am
These are BDU pants correct? I have a pair, the fabric is very strong, and I bet it would make a good backing.
Title: Re: Ripstop Cotton as a backing material?
Post by: kleinpm on February 27, 2012, 11:09:16 am
They sell 1.1 oz rip stop in MARPAT. Its nylon ripstop (for hammocks and stuff), weighs 1.1 oz per square yard, and only costs a few dollars.
I think 1.1 ripstop would work great as a backing, and would look extremely cool in MARPAT.

Patrick