Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: smoke on March 14, 2016, 08:31:03 am

Title: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: smoke on March 14, 2016, 08:31:03 am

I'm working on a hackberry recurve and wonder whether I should apply sinew. The bow is 63 inches long - before recurving; 2 inches wide at the fades and keeps that width for 12 inches then tapers to the tips.  I'd like to bring it in at about 60# at 27 inches. Opinions? 

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 14, 2016, 08:37:39 am

I would narrow it a 3/8" and add 3 courses of sinew. 

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: Pat B on March 14, 2016, 09:03:24 am

I like to design a bow to be sinewed from the start.  I think your bow is too long for a sinew backed bow drawn to 27".

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 14, 2016, 09:30:58 am

I would agree, Pat. If it wasn't hackberry. A 61" ntn stiff handle hackberry getting 60 @ 27" is under a load and a half, too much for the wood IMO. Not that it wouldn't hold up and shoot, but nothing like a sinew backed bow of the same would.

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: BowEd on March 14, 2016, 09:36:05 am

Yep you'll end up with a lot lower mass limb wise @ 1and3/8" wide.Won't weigh much more than a regular bow after sinew.You got to crown it though and put it more where it will work more.I would'nt even put any sinew on the last 8" if it's a recurve.You'll have to put at least 800 grains on though or about 250 grains per foot at least.Measure thickness of limbs before sinew and after sinew to see if you get at least 1/8" thickness of sinew on there dried hard after 4 weeks.You'll be close then with something on it extra to tiller to.Good luck.

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: smoke on March 14, 2016, 12:33:59 pm

Thanks guys . . . but I'm a tad confused now.  Are you saying that I should narrow the limbs by 3/8" so they are 1 5/8" or reduce from 2' to 1 3/8 inch?  I'll note that the back is very flat at this point . . . in the event that is an important consideration. 

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 14, 2016, 01:26:43 pm

It depends on who's advice you are running with. Nobody is wrong, just different thoughts.

Title: Re: to sinew or not to sinew? That is the question . . .
Post by: bubby on March 14, 2016, 01:43:52 pm

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,31738.0.html

Here ya go smoke