Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: wodpow on December 26, 2010, 09:47:36 pm
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how many seal the leather grip on there bows say with tru-oil or something that dries hard so the leather stays tight to the bow and don't get wet? I mostly just apply leather with no protection other than a little beeswax but in a 100% wet down pour it didn't keep the water from staining the leather. I haven't used true oil on any leather other than rawhide backing.
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I usually seall the whole bow the do the handle wrap.
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i seal the whole bow,all wood parts
have only used a handle wrap a couple of times,but never sealed the leather
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I have seen and heard of doing a cord wrapped handle with a heavy finish to hold everything tight . I never really thought about it till I got the leather wet and it discolored it. only about half of the bows I have made have ever got a leather wrap but it was just to have something to do.
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I've never sealed a leather handle as part of the bow making process. My self bows don't normally go out when it might rain. I've always switched to a glass recurve when that happened. Now that I have some Ipe and Osage boards I intend to make a laminated R/D short longbow to handle rain duty in the future.
George
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I most times finish the bow with spar varnish or Tru Oil before sewing a leather wrap.I then wax the leather. On some bows I braid jute twine and use it for a handle wrap with a floppy arrow rest. I Apply the floppy rest then wrap the braided twine and lastly soak the twine with spar varnish to lock it in place.
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Never sealed leather,rap ons. After I cut out my leather put in laceing holes I like to put the leather handle in warm water to solfen it an hour or so. Then lace it on wet. When it drys it will form(srink) to the wood. This way even if it dose get wet it still tight.Unitllit drys again.
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Got me wondering the same thing about sealing leather. You said you waxed your leather handle Grunt, can I ask what wax did you use? Beeswaz? Paste wax? I've waxed a wooden selfbow bow with beeswax and had the wax discolor from rain drops hitting it...
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If do seal it with a leather sealer. Jawge
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Hey george, you ever use this sealer?
(http://i56.tinypic.com/3013d34.jpg)
Here's a link to their web site I think.
http://www.atsko.com/products/waterproofing/sno-seal.html
I have been dressing bows in leather lately, and while it looks good, I have not tried using any sealer at all on the leather yet. I wonder if using this wax on bare leather would give enough protection against rain and the such (providing the way I cover the bow in leather is 100% water proof of course). One of the things I like that it says: "Will not crack during continual flexing of leather." :)
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Yes, works well. Works for boots too. Jawge
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I haven't found anything better than gluing the grip down with Tite-bond III waterproof glue. And then waxing bow and leather grip (any leather) with Johnson Paste wax. Leaves a nice nonslip grip even when wet...............Art
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I read that sno seal will darken leather. Do you think I should not use it on white leather? The color is almost ivory, and I wanted to keep the color. Is there a wipe on leather sealer that will not darken the leather that anybody knows of? I was thinking of plain beeswax buffed on.
Edit: Just tryed the plain beeswax. Does not work in any way shape or form.
Edit#2: Artcher1, do you think johnson paste wax would darken white leather too much? I've never used it, I'd imagine anything would darken white leather but I mean to the point that it is very noticable.
Edit#3: One thing I was thinking of is white shoe polish. I primarily want to protect the leather from spotting the way leather will if come in contact with water I guess, also, not trying to take over your thread wodpow. Sorry, :). I just had the same question really...
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I was just thinking because I normally don't hunt in the rain but 2009 when the ice was on the trees and thawing my bow grip was soaked and I have not glued it one down. I just put on wet stitched up tight and let draw down tight. The leather I use most is from my first deer tanned with battery acid because it sounded easy.bad thing about it will soak up water like it's a sponge but it is smoked and the water makes it blotchy really easy I thought about using the snow shield but I think it will make the leather expand and slip beings it's not glued to the bow.
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I'm sure the paste wax would darken your white leather grip Toomanyknots........Art
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I used to use Tandy NeetLac leather finish on my handles until they stopped distributing it. The same material is now sold as LCi Clear Lac. Apply two coats and your handle will resist water, dirt, oils and sweat for years.
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Got me wondering the same thing about sealing leather. You said you waxed your leather handle Grunt, can I ask what wax did you use? Beeswaz? Paste wax? I've waxed a wooden selfbow bow with beeswax and had the wax discolor from rain drops hitting it...
I use Renaissance Wax. It's a micro cystalline wax polish developed for museum work on stone, leather, etc. I have used it for years as a final polish. It's expensive but it's easy to apply,protects well and dries clear.
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Thank you grunt!!!!!!!!!!!! So would you guess from using it before if it would even work on lighter colored leathers without significant darkening? (like white leather, :) )
Edit: I just found this from a pdf on renaissance wax:
"For example, photographs for exhibition or of historic value are waxed to protect the image from the natural acidity of hands or environmental pollutants. The wax does not stain or darken even white paper."
Wodpow/Grunt, man, you have no idea how helpful yall have been to me today. No idea.
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Edit: Just tryed the plain beeswax. Does not work in any way shape or form.
I put my handle wraps on like several others have noted, by dampening the leather and stretching it tight as I sew. And I have put natural beeswax on once the leather dries. You have to heat the leather with a hair dryer or a heat gun on low setting and rub the wax from there. You will be amazed how much wax leather will absorb. As for white leather, I think the best thing would be to hang the bow in a hermetically sealed case to prevent smudges, fingerprints, sweatstains, or other discoloration.
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I made several wrapped handles of leather lace such as the one pictured here that I sealed with boat varnish.
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I have used Sno-Seal but it does darken any leather some. I used it on elk skin and it darkened it a few shades. Just be sure you heat it up with a blow dryer, etc. after applying to let it penetrate . It also makes leather a little bit sticky. I'd try it first on some scrap pieces.