Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Steve Milbocker on December 04, 2010, 05:09:29 pm

Title: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 04, 2010, 05:09:29 pm

I was feeding my horses tonight and got an idea. Has anyone ever tried backing a bow with twine? It shreds very easily and the fibers are quite strong.

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: half eye on December 04, 2010, 07:31:21 pm

Steve,
     I made a Modoc inspired bow for a friend and used twine for the backer. I used it in long lengths, didn't tear it apart, after a couple of years it's still shooting just fine. Glued the twine on with TB II , turned out looking a lot like tree bark.
     Here's a couple of pics

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 05, 2010, 11:37:22 am

Thanks for the pics. That bow turned out very nice .

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Pat B on December 05, 2010, 11:41:54 am

When you're talking bailing twine are you talking about the older hemp or sisal twines or the newer plastic twines?

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 05, 2010, 01:22:45 pm

Quote from: Pat B on December 05, 2010, 11:41:54 am

When you're talking bailing twine are you talking about the older hemp or sisal twines or the newer plastic twines?

I would guess probably sisal Pat, it comes from Tractor Supply. When you unravel it the fibers are actually fairly straight.

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 05, 2010, 01:31:28 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisal

Sounds like it might work pretty well from this description.

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Pat B on December 05, 2010, 01:51:57 pm

The natural fiber bailing twine should work fine. The reddish plastic bailing twine is sensative to sunlight...plus it is plastic.  ;D

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 05, 2010, 02:10:09 pm

Our New Holland doesn't like the plastic stuff either ;D

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: sweeney3 on December 05, 2010, 03:23:35 pm

Try net wrap...  ;D

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: wodpow on December 05, 2010, 04:07:00 pm

Should look really back to nature.   I would soak it to get it limber and softer TB2 should work but hide glue would work also.

Title: Re: Balers twine for backing a bow
Post by: DuBois on August 10, 2012, 05:02:50 pm

hey there, I had this idea and have been preping for backing a maple bow with this Sisal fiber. How did yours turn out? Was it a good idea?
I guess I will treat it like sinew (which I have little experience with).