Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on September 27, 2016, 10:04:48 pm

Title: Rawhide backing
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 27, 2016, 10:04:48 pm
I made an Osage bow with extremely thin rings and I noticed that it popped several splinters on the back. I was planning to sand the back smooth and back it with rawhide. Do you guys think this will hold together fine?? I was going to use a rawhide dog bone toy for rawhide. Have any of you tried this?
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Pat B on September 27, 2016, 10:57:38 pm
Lee, the problem with dog chews is the thickness but you can thin it by sanding.
 Rawhide is not a miracle cure but it will help keep splinters down.
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: bjrogg on September 28, 2016, 04:02:20 am
I'm thinking you don't want to sand back smooth. You'll give up more of ring and a rough surface is better for glue.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 28, 2016, 04:56:45 am
Ok what about a fabric backing? Like burlap or canvas?
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: loon on September 28, 2016, 05:03:53 am
why not a bamboo backing :D
I'm thinking of paper backing the red oak bow I'll make, glued with hide glue. how much draw weight is your bow?
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 28, 2016, 05:09:15 am
Well the bow is already tillered and shooting and it also undulates and dips and dives a bit. So a flat rigid backing doesnt seem like a good option at this point. I would love to use a fabric of some type because of how easy it is to apply.
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Pat B on September 28, 2016, 07:46:33 am
Can you not find deer or goat rawhide?
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 28, 2016, 07:59:21 am
The few times I used rawhide, Lee, I bought it from 3 Rivers. It was fairly easy to install and was ready to go after soaking. I used Titebond 2 but would use Titebond 3 these days. Jawge
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Eric Garza on September 28, 2016, 08:10:19 am
You might also reach out to the community via the trade blanket to see if someone has a couple rawhide strips they'll trade you.
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 28, 2016, 08:12:12 am
Ok thanks guys!
Title: Re: Rawhide backing
Post by: bradsmith2010 on September 28, 2016, 11:32:34 am
yes thin goat or deer would be the best way to go,, :)
it should hold your bow together,,, it will for sure be better than no backing at all,,