Sinew and osage question

[sleek]

I'm sinew backing one of my osage shorties that cracked on the back. As in, and actual tension crack not a splinter. I reduced it down one more ring but the crack is in that ring too. Oh well, gonna try sinew on it anyways.  I'm going to lay a sinew splint across that area first, starting small then laying longer fibers down until its got a 3 inch split across the crack. Then I'm laying down a sinew backing on the entire bow.

Questions here are, do I need to groove the back? And being as its an actual crack in the bow, not a splinter lifted, yall reckon sinew will hold? Its an inch long crack over a 2 inch back leading from the edge to center line.

[bradsmith2010]

im guessing you got 50 50 chance,, at least 3 layers of sinew and maybe a bit thicker there and leave it a bit stiff when you tiller,
Ive never tried to fix one like that,, I have done some fixes, they just didnt shoot forever,, like one that has a pristine back,, but its worth a try,, some pictures would be nice too,,

[Pat B]

I personally wouldn't waste the time or the sinew on it. Back breaks are about the worst thing for a bow. It might hold up but for me it's just not worth it.
 Why did the osage crack on the back. That is something you rarely see  on an osage bow unless there is an underlying reason.

[sleek]

I fell asleep with the heat gun in my hand and made it too brittle there, then bent it without allowing it to rehydrate. I was stupid. lol

[sleek]

Its a 54 inch long recurve, was 50#@26, and id like to get it back to that again, maybe 50@28 even. I have 3.1 oz of sinew ready for it already to go on. IF it will help, I can scrape below the crack in that area, blend outward, makin what is essentially a pot hole in the wood there, wide and shallow, fill the divot with sinew, and then lay the sinew backing over it. At least that way there is no crack anymore.

[bradsmith2010]

if you can get rid of the crack, that will increase your odds of success,,

[sleek]

if you can get rid of the crack, that will increase your odds of success,,

The crack is removed and a layer of sinew to fill the divot is on. Now to let that dry a few days before adding more.

[PatM]

I don't like the idea.  A back can actually crack under sinew by itself.

[Pat B]

31" draw for a 56" bow is pushing it anyway, even with sinew backing.

[sleek]

I don't like the idea.  A back can actually crack under sinew by itself.

We gonna find out! heee haw!

Honestly though, I appreciate the cautionary warning. I wonder if by putting more reflex into the bow, it will pull the sinew down harder and strain the wood in tension less.

[PatM]

31" draw for a 56" bow is pushing it anyway, even with sinew backing.

 3.1 ounces of sinew, not 31 inch draw.

[Selfbowman]

I was going to say you won’t have to worry about that crack at 31”. If you my be concerned about your head upon failure. 😁😁😁😁 Arvin

[sleek]

I bet I could make a 56 go 31, I've made a 54 go 28, and thats about the same thing I think.


For the sinew, is grooving the back better, or needed?

[PaSteve]

 With all the cautionary advice it appears you're determined to give it a try. Good luck, interested to hear about the results.

[sleek]

With all the cautionary advice it appears you're determined to give it a try. Good luck, interested to hear about the results.

I'm a "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" type of guy. I still like to know that there are torpedoes present however, so that's why  I ask.