Primitive coating for sinew backed bows?

[WhistlingBadger]

If you use pitch put in a little bees wax so it won't be as brittle. It may crack otherwise when it bends.

Beeswax will dissolve in alcohol too, won't it?  If animal grease isn't safe with hide glue, I wonder if you could make a wipe-on varnish of wax and pitch.  Of course, alcohol isn't primitive.  Unless you make your own.  But I think that would lead to some legal issues.   

Has anybody actually tried animal grease on hide glue?  If not, I might do an experimental glue up some time, rub it down with some lard and see what happens...

[Selfbowman]

Well if you aren’t worried about it being a museum piece a raddle can will work. If you are worried about it being a museum piece hopefully the roof dont leak and you have nothing to worry about cause it will be shot inside. Just saying. Arvin

[WhistlingBadger]

Well if you aren’t worried about it being a museum piece a raddle can will work. If you are worried about it being a museum piece hopefully the roof dont leak and you have nothing to worry about cause it will be shot inside. Just saying. Arvin

Where do I find a primitive rattle can?  ha ha   

[High-Desert]

Will bees wax dissolve in pitch and alcohol?

[loefflerchuck]

Grease won’t weaken the hide glue bond if it has seasoned but does add moisture to slow arrow speed. As has been mentioned soaproot. I use pitch sometimes. I use fresh sap mixed with a small amount of charcoal heated and applied. Then keep rubbing charcoal powder over the surface until it’s not sticky anymore.