Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: RBLusthaus on January 30, 2013, 02:00:11 pm

Title: raw hide backing
Post by: RBLusthaus on January 30, 2013, 02:00:11 pm

How do you all finish your rawhide backings?  I am not interested in covering them w snake or fish skins - and dont want to leave it as is under coats of tru oil or poly.   Any suggestions or cool looks in your bag of tricks?   If not, I guess I am left with paint?

Russ

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: Pat B on January 30, 2013, 02:06:30 pm

I seal rawhide with Tru-Oil and it makes somewhat transparent in a splotchy kind of way that I really like. You can stain or dye rawhide. You could even tie dye it with a Grateful Dead effect if you wanted. Rawhide make a great pallet for all sorts of decoration options.

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 30, 2013, 02:33:30 pm

Stain makes it look too cool. It almost has a camo look to it as it only soaks it up here and there. I love it.

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on January 30, 2013, 04:52:09 pm

I just used regular chestnut stain. You can see the different color in the lower limb the best and down the entire limb it changes because of the way the rawhide is put on. still shows the grain of the wood but mixes it up a bit. This was my first bow I backed with rawhide or backed ever. I can try adding another picture later but right now I am at work and this is all I can get.

(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/IMAG0490.jpg)

Justin

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: Squirrelslayer on January 30, 2013, 06:49:14 pm

i saw a guy who done some native american designs on the back. looked pretty cool. why no snake skins?

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: RBLusthaus on January 30, 2013, 07:16:28 pm

Quote from: Squirrelslayer on January 30, 2013, 06:49:14 pm

why no snake skins?

SS - because the guy who is getting this one does  not like the look of skins. 

Scott D - - Thank you for looking that up - - I had never seen that before - - truly outstanding - kinda along the line of PatB suggestion to go Grateful Dead Tie Dye - - which I am seriously considering. 

Thank you all for the advice.  Now to make some decisions.  I think I need to do some test pieces. 

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: Shondy55 on January 30, 2013, 10:43:24 pm

i did a bow a while back with a rawhide backing and i used black paint and painted on some tribal designs and that looked really cool because the black paint really pops off the light colored rawhide. 

Title: Re: raw hide backing
Post by: aaron on January 30, 2013, 11:57:14 pm

my new favorite stain for rawhide, braintan and wood is vinegar plus iron which makes a grey to black color.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,36145.msg475095.html#msg475095
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,25949.msg348723.html#msg348723