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backings

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George Tsoukalas:
I think  that a good philosophy for a backing is that it adds a little insurance to keep the bow from breaking. Sounds simple. No backing is 100% though. i can't discuss wooden backings as I have never done one. I'll list and discuss some. Sinew-the strongest and toughest. Time consuming to install. Requires patience in waiting for it to dry. Excellent protection. Adds reflex to a bow.  Rawhide-love it. Easy to install. Tough. Excellent protection.  Burlap -easy to install. Fair protection. Silk -easy to install, fair protection. Having said that my favorite backing is air. In my view a beginner should find the best piece of wood. Tiller it as perfectly as possible and then back it for added protection. Jawge

snedeker:
With a hard backing like boo or hickory, ring grain/ring orientation takes on much less importance because the tension is now spread across the backing piece and the core only has to compress.  With boo, an occasional problem is a splinter coming up at a node, usually an indiscernable defect in the material having nothing to do with your efforts.  The other problem would be delamination, i.e. the glue letting go because of some defect in the glue-up.  If you make enough bows, you will probably run into both.  Butu go forth boldly.

Dave

gpw:
Marc ..."keep it flexible "...  ;D   bows or attitude ???

D. Tiller:
I do glue ups of Hickory backings and other woods. Works great and you do not have to worry about violating growth rings since the wood is under compression only and not tension.

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