Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jandersson on October 12, 2014, 07:20:21 pm

Title: Sinew length
Post by: jandersson on October 12, 2014, 07:20:21 pm

Hello!
I ordered some sinew from the butcher and he got me some beef sinew about 4 inches long. Is that to short to use for backing bows?
Thanks!

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: Chadwick on October 12, 2014, 07:25:17 pm

4" beef sinew? They get MUCH longer!! I think he gave you the wrong sinew, not from the last leg joint to hoof. My 4" pieces are either discards or stop-gaps, never primary working pieces.

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: Chadwicksbog on October 12, 2014, 07:27:03 pm

I am interested to see what answers you get, I just asked my Amish friends to save all the tendons for me this year......they hunt like its the last year to hunt!

Also if you don't mind me adding, what glue to use? And is it one fiber thick backing?

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: Pat B on October 12, 2014, 08:05:10 pm

The shredded cow sinew I have is about 8" long. You may have to be more specific with your butcher.
  Chad, for sinew backed bows I prefer using hide glue. Most of the sinew bows I've made had 2 or 3 courses of sinew on them.

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: bubbles on October 12, 2014, 08:17:17 pm

I've had the shorter(4") and longer(8") tendons. I definitely prefer the longer ones, but have used the shorter as well.

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: jandersson on October 12, 2014, 09:34:23 pm

So there are two different ones on the leg of different lengths?  I know nothing about it, I've been a vegetarian for 15 years so I never had to look into it until now. 

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: PatM on October 12, 2014, 09:50:17 pm

People cutting out sinew that aren't intending to use it for anything other than soup don't try to maximise length, They just cut out the obvious middle section which sacrifices half the length.

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: jandersson on October 12, 2014, 10:11:27 pm

I see. I'm gonna talk to the butcher then to cut me the whole thing.
Thanks guys!

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: lebhuntfish on October 13, 2014, 12:33:54 am

I have went to a pet supply store and picked up beef and bison sinew. It is individually wrapped and dried, and sold for dog chews. It is full length too and easily accessible. The only thing you have to do is wash is with some dawn dish soap because they have a little greasy fat on them. Works good,  you could pick them up in the morning and back a bow in the evening! If your fingers don't hurt too bad!  >:D Patrick

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: bubbles on October 13, 2014, 04:22:24 pm

What brand Lebhuntfish? I tried buying some from the pet store but I found out after it was cooked instead of just dried. 

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: osage outlaw on October 13, 2014, 04:39:05 pm

If you get it from a pet store make sure its not a bully stick or beef pizzle.  That's not sinew.  Its something totally different  ;D

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: Pat B on October 13, 2014, 04:47:41 pm

Yeah Clint, but the more you mess with it the bigger it gets.  ::)

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: wizardgoat on October 13, 2014, 05:07:41 pm

Jack crafty has a YouTube vid where he makes a sinew string out of really short pieces

Title: Re: Sinew length
Post by: lebhuntfish on October 13, 2014, 11:31:03 pm

I don't remember what it was  bubbles. I got it at pet warehouse I think. Patrick