Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WhistlingBadger on February 17, 2021, 11:18:25 am
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Short version: How big a problem are knots on a sinew-backed bow?
A bit more detail: So, now that I've completed a successful self bow, I have delusions of grandeur and I'm thinking I'd like to work toward a sinew backed juniper bow, once I do a few more self-bows and get a better feel for tillering. The other day, I cut a nice, straight grained piece of rocky mountain juniper, hauled it out of the hills, sealed the ends, and split it.
Trouble is, this thing is FULL of little, pencil-sized knots. On average, I'd guess there's one about every 2" or so. Not exactly a pristine stave. Pretty much all the juniper around here looks about the same. But I am planning to sinew back this, so I'm just wondering how big a deal all these knots are.
Pic below. Let me know what you think.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50953294937_8efe74bd82_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kCyXp8)20210217_072856[1] (https://flic.kr/p/2kCyXp8) by Whistling Badger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187773441@N04/), on Flickr
By the way, is there anything prettier than juniper heartwood? Smells as nice as it looks.
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I answered you on your looking for staves trading post.. sorry.. gut
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For a sinew backed bow I would rather have as pristine of a stave as I can get. It might work OK with a knotty stave but for all the work it involves why take a chance.
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Sinew is best used to enhance near perfect wood, not salvage poorer stuff.
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OK, thanks for the info. I will keep looking!
TW