Hazelnut bow build-a-long (fixed pictures)

[FlintWalker]

Very nice build-a-long Gordon, i'm really enjoying it! Just how much strength does silk add to the back of a bow?  I'm pretty new at this kind of stuff and my first thought of silk is that it's pretty thin, how can it add much strength?   I'm not doubting it, I just don't understand it.

[Gordon]

Shannon, silk is incredibly strong for its weight. It will add a surprising amount of protection to the back.

[FlintWalker]

How does it compare to thin rawhide?

[Gordon]

I'm not sure Shannon. I've never had a bow break that was backed with either rawhide or silk. I'll have to defer to others more knowledgable to answer your question.

[Loki]

This is really good Bowyering,the Bow's looking wonderful!

I perform this step in natural light because the smallest flaws are nearly invisible in artificial light, but show themselves readily when the finish is applied.

Maybe one of the reasons it was illegal for bowyers in medieval England to work after sundown.
Andy

[George Tsoukalas]

Outstanding buildalong, Gordon. To answer the question, rawhide is stronger than silk but silk will do the job of keeping the back together most of the time. I've used  it and have felt and seen splintering through the silk but the stuff kept the splintering down. Jawge

[juniper junkie]

thanks for taking the time for doing this build along. I have learned a lot from this and cant wait to see the finished product. excellent workmanship as usual.

[The Burnt Hill Archer]

thanks for taking the time for doing this build along. I have learned a lot from this and cant wait to see the finished product. excellent workmanship as usual.

I concur... so many things i need to try   

[Gordon]

Before applying the skins I will build up the bow’s handle. The handle on this kind of bow can be uncomfortable because it is shaped for bending and not holding. Building up the handle will make it more comfortable to grip and shoot.

I cut 2 more strips of rawhide and bevel the edges on the sander.



The strips are laminated together using superglue and then shaped using a file.



I cut a strip of thick leather, glue it to the back and shape it. This will make it more comfortable for the shooter when wrapping their fingers around the handle.



Here is what the handle looks like when the build-up is completed.



The bow is now ready for the snakeskins.

[juniper junkie]

by adding the rawhide, does it stiffen the handle some and make it bend less? if so, does this increase the poundage? do you also use super glue to attach the rawhide to the bow? (sorry for all the questions)

[Gordon]

Dave,

The rawhide may have made the handle bend somewhat less, but I can still feel it flex slightly in my hand. The poundage has not changed. Yes, I used superglue for bonding both the rawhide and the leather.

[Pat B]

I do a similar thing with all my bows to fill out the back of the handle. I use thick shoe leather. I have a few bendy handle bows that I used leather on back and belly and I usually use Tite-Bond.    Excellent tutorial, Gordon.    Pat

[medicinewheel]

hi gordon!  -  so far i had only little time to look through your build-along; i'll work my way through it in the next days! but from what i've seen so far i agree with everybody: it's GREAT!!!

frank

[Gordon]

I'm waiting on the snakeskins to be delivered. I hope to receive them this week. Sorry for the delay.

[juniper junkie]

the suspence is killing us..