Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bearded.Jake on April 16, 2025, 02:09:43 pm

Title: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Bearded.Jake on April 16, 2025, 02:09:43 pm

Hello all,

I am planning to re do a rawhide backing on my first bow and I just scraped a deer hide partly for this purpose.  I ended up tearing the flank while scraping so I cut some strips down the side of the hide. My question is how thin is too thin for a rawhide backing?  the strips start up near the shoulders of the hide which are mayybe 1mm thick and extend down to the flanks which are probably .5 - .75 mm thick im guessing.  Paper thin!  is that worth putting on my bow even?

I figured if I just use the edges maybe I would still tan the rest of the hide.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Pappy on April 16, 2025, 05:41:18 pm

Yep, thinner the better. Pappy

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Bearded.Jake on April 16, 2025, 08:39:37 pm

Thanks Pappy!

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Pat B on April 16, 2025, 11:36:55 pm

I agree.  :OK

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: superdav95 on April 17, 2025, 09:02:43 am

Yes agree.  The thin stuff is better.   Adding less mass to the limbs yet plenty strong. 

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Mad Max on April 17, 2025, 09:23:29 am

I hear brown paper grocery sack works, ask your local store for a large one.

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Pat B on April 18, 2025, 12:39:15 am

I've used brown grocery bag as backing and it works well. If you think about how paper is made with plant fibers "felted" and then set it in glue it makes for a pretty strong backing material.

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Mad Max on April 18, 2025, 11:10:30 am

Quote from: Pat B on April 18, 2025, 12:39:15 am

I've used brown grocery bag as backing and it works well. If you think about how paper is made with plant fibers "felted" and then set it in glue it makes for a pretty strong backing material.

I heard it on this forum years ago. :OK
I use Linen too, buy a yard at your local sewing store.

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Pat B on April 18, 2025, 12:40:07 pm

That was probably from me, Mark. I said it a lot back then.  ;D

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Mad Max on April 19, 2025, 08:44:56 pm

Quote from: Pat B on April 18, 2025, 12:40:07 pm

That was probably from me, Mark. I said it a lot back then.  ;D

 :P See you in a couple weeks ;)

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Pat B on April 20, 2025, 01:09:17 am

Looking forward to it Mark.  :OK

Title: Re: Rawhide backing thickness
Post by: Bearded.Jake on April 20, 2025, 11:20:57 pm

thank you all for the advice, again!