Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jonathan creason on October 20, 2010, 05:36:01 pm

Title: When to add rawhide?
Post by: jonathan creason on October 20, 2010, 05:36:01 pm

TJ was kind enough this past weekend to give me a hickory board to try to destroy.  The grain looks straight, but it can be a bit tricky on a hickory board, so I'm thinking about adding a rawhide backing (dog bones I reckon, don't have anything else).  I'd like to heat treat the belly, too, but I'm worried if I do that after I back it the glue will turn loose on me. 

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: Pat B on October 20, 2010, 05:40:53 pm

Heat treat before adding the backing.

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: jonathan creason on October 20, 2010, 05:44:05 pm

Go ahead and tiller it all the way out before hand, Pat?

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: AncientArcher76 on October 21, 2010, 10:37:40 am

John once u determine ur back and u got it tillered like pat mentioned heat treat first as when u get the rawhide on u want to have things in order. zI used dog bones on several bows I like it a lot.  I even built a 43 inch short bow and saw how far I could draw it before it exploded.  I wish I got it on film it was awesome.  With the rawhide on u can feel the limit of the bow but of course I wanted to exceed and sure enough  HHB and rawhide killer combo.  John lets see some pictures!

Russ

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: nugget on October 21, 2010, 11:11:35 am

Got it shooting yet?  ;D

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: Pat B on October 21, 2010, 11:17:46 am

Jonathan, it depends on why you are adding the rawhide. If I have an thin ringed osage with knots I will add it att floor tiller. If not for protection you can wait until about half draw or after tillering.
  Dog chews are usually pretty thick and also uneven thickness. I would suggest you thinning the rawhide either before adding it to the bow or after it has cured on the bow and in this case you will have to be careful to thin it evenly.

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: wally on October 21, 2010, 03:20:14 pm

If I back a bow I have always used deer leg sinew. Does using rawhide work as effectively?
It would be a lot easier to prepare and apply

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: Cameroo on October 21, 2010, 03:28:42 pm

Quote from: wally on October 21, 2010, 03:20:14 pm

If I back a bow I have always used deer leg sinew. Does using rawhide work as effectively?
It would be a lot easier to prepare and apply

It works very well, and looks good too.  Cow rawhide is too thick though, deer rawhide is the best way to go.

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: Pat B on October 21, 2010, 03:52:14 pm

wally, rawhide works very well for protection but not performance like sinew does.

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: jonathan creason on October 21, 2010, 04:24:53 pm

Thanks everybody!

TJ, not shooting yet, I have cut it out though.  I might cut it down a little, since I don't have 42" arms, and let it bend a little through the handle.

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on October 21, 2010, 05:14:26 pm

I install backing before stringing with the short string. For me that means right after long string tillering. Jawge

Title: Re: When to add rawhide?
Post by: Pappy on October 22, 2010, 07:49:59 am

The only time I back a bow is if I think I may have a problem either violated grain/worms/knots or run off so I always do it right after floor tillering. If using sinew for performance reason I do it after the bow is out to about 20 inches and all even. :)
   Pappy