Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: HickoryBill on March 12, 2011, 12:10:36 am

Title: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: HickoryBill on March 12, 2011, 12:10:36 am
What is the strangest/ weirdest backing you guys have ever used or seen on a bow. I once used turkey breast feathers. It was just for cosmetics though. It was good camouflage. I wish I had a pic of it. As far as I know it is still in use.... as a thunder chicken slayer. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: hillbilly61 on March 12, 2011, 12:34:55 am
I'm trying Luan right now. Don't know if it's ever been used, But I'll now how it turns out some time this week.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: osage outlaw on March 12, 2011, 12:37:50 am
I used the fabric wrapper from a new couch on a red oak board bow.  I lost interest and never finished it.  It is ugly as can be though.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: JackCrafty on March 12, 2011, 02:09:50 am
I've used thick coats of Tightbond III for backing kids bows (just the glue by itself).  Looks cool.  Works good.  Gets funny looks. ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Dvshunter on March 12, 2011, 12:21:48 pm
I saw a hickory static recurve backed with black formica counter top material. That was an ugly bow. I didn't even want it in my shop for fear of it passin off some bad juju.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: swamp monkey on March 12, 2011, 12:29:53 pm
I have seen a guy use onion skins, and a paper bag.  Then another fella use packaging tape. 
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Del the cat on March 12, 2011, 12:47:02 pm
I have a fancy to try politician's tongues. Or mabybe their palms, but I figured they would be to greasey ;D.
Del
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: sailordad on March 12, 2011, 12:49:30 pm
I have a fancy to try politician's tongues. Or mabybe their palms, but I figured they would be to greasey ;D.
Del

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: bucksbuoy on March 12, 2011, 01:25:54 pm
Del- hahahahahaha!
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Bevan R. on March 12, 2011, 01:37:02 pm
I have a fancy to try politician's tongues. Or mabybe their palms, but I figured they would be to greasey ;D.
Del

Or forked?  >:D

Bevan R
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Dauntless on March 12, 2011, 07:51:11 pm
Fibreglass tape, the clear stuff with white lines from the glass, is a quick backing for the lazy bowyer,
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: El Destructo on March 12, 2011, 07:57:05 pm
I guess the Strangest backing I have ever used was Sinew...with homemade Hide Glue...and I mixed hide scraps...sinew...and a bunch of my own hide in there too....I have feet and hands that don't shed skin...so I have to use 80 grit emery cloth to sand them down weekly...well I saved it for a while...and added it to my Hide Scraps....worked just fine..... ;D... :P...... :o
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: toomanyknots on March 12, 2011, 08:59:38 pm
"I guess the Strangest backing I have ever used was Sinew...with homemade Hide Glue...and I mixed hide scraps...sinew...and a bunch of my own hide in there too....I have feet and hands that don't shed skin...so I have to use 80 grit emery cloth to sand them down weekly...well I saved it for a while...and added it to my Hide Scraps....worked just fine..... "

They don't make a smiley face to express what face I just made after reading that, lol lol (secret hide glue recipe: 1 part hide, 1 part sinew, and 1 part el destructo, :) )
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: cracker on March 12, 2011, 09:10:08 pm
Cheap turkey blind netting glued on with tb3.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: okiecountryboy on March 12, 2011, 09:48:38 pm
I have a fancy to try politician's tongues. Or mabybe their palms, but I figured they would be to greasey ;D.
Del

Not enough acetone or denatured alcohol in the world to get the grease off them kinda hides. ;D

To quote ELD's tag....Come on 1/20/2013!!!!! >:(!!!!

Ron
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Pat B on March 12, 2011, 09:50:13 pm
Del, netiher sound very reliable to me.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: El Destructo on March 12, 2011, 10:39:36 pm
To quote ELD's tag....Come on 1/20/2013!!!!! >:(!!!!

Ron

Damn Ron...I didn't know anyone else even figured that one out.... ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 12, 2011, 11:06:53 pm
Strangest, maybe not, but best backed bow I ever saw was made by the bowyer that taught me, Barry Meyer.  He sinew backed an osage bow (oh, how daring), but then backed the bow with a single skin from a gaboon viper.  'Boons are one of the top 5 deadliest snakes in the world and not easy to come by.  He happened to have a contact at Reptile Gardens that saved the nasty critter for him.  

Their latin name kinda fits....Bitis gabonica.  
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 12, 2011, 11:36:30 pm
JW, You really seem to have a thing for tha Gaboon Viper. They really aren't that hard to come by.  In the legal states you can pick up a baby for $75-125.  Spend a year feeding it up and there ya go ;)  Now the Rhino Viper....A lot like the gabby but way nicer looking! ;D

The coolest skin I have ever had I traded to James Parker and I haven't seen it yet, and I've asked him multiple times about it and never a reply ::)  I should have kept it...
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 12, 2011, 11:47:19 pm
What's it gonna cost me for the vials of anti-venom?  That's IF there is any commercially available.  Oh, and what does it cost to get Life-Flighted out of Rapid City to Denver these days?  Yeah, sure, send me two of them nasties!!! 

I been looking at my 4 1/2 ft bullsnake lately....but she's done hundreds of classroom presentations and I ain't sure I'd survive the munchkin attack if they found out I did June-bug that way. 
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Badger on March 12, 2011, 11:56:50 pm
Years ago I took some shark catilage and built a steel press to compress it as it dried. Every few days I would tighten the bolts compresssing it more and more. Somewhere in ther middle of the project I gave up smoking pot and never finished it so can't say how it would have worked. Steve
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 12, 2011, 11:59:56 pm
I used the leg of my wifes jeans last week  ;D  I hope she dont look for that pair.. ::)
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 13, 2011, 12:08:43 am
What's it gonna cost me for the vials of anti-venom?  That's IF there is any commercially available.  Oh, and what does it cost to get Life-Flighted out of Rapid City to Denver these days?  Yeah, sure, send me two of them nasties!!! 

I been looking at my 4 1/2 ft bullsnake lately....but she's done hundreds of classroom presentations and I ain't sure I'd survive the munchkin attack if they found out I did June-bug that way. 

Easy answer, don't get bit >:D  Or, as long as you don't tell the state of AZ you buy it and I'll raise it for you ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 13, 2011, 12:09:32 am
Years ago I took some shark catilage and built a steel press to compress it as it dried. Every few days I would tighten the bolts compresssing it more and more. Somewhere in ther middle of the project I gave up smoking pot and never finished it so can't say how it would have worked. Steve

Steve that's freaking hilarious!!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Almostpighunter on March 13, 2011, 12:21:25 am
@Badger: Finally got off the floor from the laughing fit and my eyes still haven't cleared. ROFL

I guess the strangest thing for me were the taxidermy rattlesnake heads of the "Evil Bow" I posted a while back. The cobra skinned one was unusual too but not as extreme.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Pat B on March 13, 2011, 01:21:55 am
Steve, see where that got ya!  :D  ::)
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Lee Slikkers on March 13, 2011, 10:26:43 am
I have a neat little yellow eye-lash viper but at the rate he eats/grows I'll be dead before he'd be of usable length.  I have a friend who has offered be a monster sized Gaboon Viper, a couple cobras and some misc pacific rattlers but so far I haven't taken him up on it.

And I agree 110% on the Rhino Vipers...one of the few must have for me, one day!

Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 13, 2011, 03:33:40 pm
Steve...I'd say its time to roll one up and finish up ur projects...no one likes quitters lol
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: okiecountryboy on March 13, 2011, 06:36:45 pm
To quote ELD's tag....Come on 1/20/2013!!!!! >:(!!!!

Ron

Damn Ron...I didn't know anyone else even figured that one out.... ;D

Figured it out!?!  The first time I saw it I thought we might be related. ;D ;D ;D

Ron
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: fishfinder401 on March 13, 2011, 08:32:33 pm
I have a fancy to try politician's tongues. Or mabybe their palms, but I figured they would be to greasey ;D.
Del

Not enough acetone or denatured alcohol in the world to get the grease off them kinda hides. ;D

To quote ELD's tag....Come on 1/20/2013!!!!! >:(!!!!

Ron
couldnt agree more, cant wait for that date to appear on the calendar ;D
noel
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Dvshunter on March 13, 2011, 11:02:15 pm
Years ago I took some shark catilage and built a steel press to compress it as it dried. Every few days I would tighten the bolts compresssing it more and more. Somewhere in ther middle of the project I gave up smoking pot and never finished it so can't say how it would have worked. Steve

That was a hell of a highdia.  Its a shame potheads aren't the most depedable folks. haha  If only they could remember to vote it would be legal. >:D O:) ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: El Destructo on March 14, 2011, 12:20:33 am
Hey....Now you better watch it .....I resemble Dat Remark......... :P
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: El Destructo on March 14, 2011, 12:22:08 am

Figured it out!?!  The first time I saw it I thought we might be related. ;D ;D ;D

Ron

Hey..............Bro!   ;D......... :P............ ::)
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 15, 2011, 12:29:30 am
Maybe we should pick a deadline, have everyone pitch their name into a pool and then we all simultaneously post our wierd backed bows! 

I'm imagining the turtle bow backed with a layer of concrete.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: mullet on March 15, 2011, 01:01:50 am
Steve? You smoked pot? ::) ;)
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 15, 2011, 01:06:52 am
frog scrotum...I read about that on here at some point.... >:D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Lee Slikkers on March 15, 2011, 01:10:18 am
frog scrotum...I read about that on here at some point.... >:D

I've heard of licking Cane Toads but rollin' up a bud in frog scrotum must really take it to the next level  O:)

 
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 15, 2011, 01:11:48 am
frog scrotum...I read about that on here at some point.... >:D

I've heard of licking Cane Toads but rollin' up a bud in frog scrotum must really take it to the next level  O:)

 

AHAHAHA  NO No Lee, Frog Scrotum backed bows.... ;D 
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Jesse on March 15, 2011, 01:13:19 am
I saw a post on here where a guy wondered if he could use fingernails instead of horn ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 15, 2011, 01:21:28 am
Thanks for my laugh for the night Jesse!!! ;D  That was some good reading.... :o
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Badger on March 15, 2011, 01:23:23 am
   I quit all that about 21 years ago. My first go aqround at making bows was pretty hap hazard. I have a whole bunch of weird stuff I tried, one of the weirdest things I did was build a snail farm to harvest the snail snot and use it as a skin lubricant. My wife thought I was nuts. 25 years later their are snail farmis in business doing the same thing. I had to e email the article to my ex wife just to rub her nose in it LOL.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 15, 2011, 01:25:00 am
I know how you feel Badger, I've wanted to rub my ex's nose in snail snot for years.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: mullet on March 15, 2011, 01:29:25 am
 I'm gonna make friends with a Rabbi and back one with foreskins. :D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: fishfinder401 on March 15, 2011, 01:31:29 am
I'm gonna make friends with a Rabbi and back one with foreskins. :D
that hurts just thinking about it :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
noel
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: NTD on March 15, 2011, 01:33:28 am
I'm gonna make friends with a Rabbi and back one with foreskins. :D

You'd have to keep a harem of hotties around if you want full performance out of that bow....
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Cameroo on March 15, 2011, 01:35:37 am
Wow, this thread sure took a bizarre turn.  Funny stuff though :) From frog scrotums to snail snot to foreskins.  Can't wait to see what's next!
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: fishfinder401 on March 15, 2011, 01:39:28 am
please, not pictures of that last idea, or ill be sick :D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Postman on March 15, 2011, 01:56:04 am
Used drywall tape on a redoak board bow shortly after joining here - I was kindly pointed to Jawge's site ;D


Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: crooketarrow on March 15, 2011, 10:53:48 am
  I once used snapping turtle scales off his shell. I also used scales off a tarpon I once caught. Looked cool just real shinny. I also used carp scales. The strangest on different for me was a black mamba skin over leg sinew form a cape buffalo that I got in on a trade on a bow.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: cracker on March 15, 2011, 10:57:22 am
I'm gonna make friends with a Rabbi and back one with foreskins. :D

You'd have to keep a harem of hotties around if you want full performance out of that bow....
If it starts to loose tension you could always rube it with viagra it should stiffen up and shoot well. >:D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Lee Slikkers on March 15, 2011, 06:41:24 pm
I'm gonna make friends with a Rabbi and back one with foreskins. :D

So would that be natural reflex or static recurve Mullet?   >:D

Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Pat B on March 15, 2011, 06:57:29 pm
...or give it to El D to sand for you. I think his arm increased 4" in diameter at the Classic last year after sanding and sanding and sanding and sanding and sanding and sanding his bow.
  I don't think I ever used a strange backing on a bow but I don't remember!  ::)
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: HickoryBill on March 15, 2011, 07:03:56 pm
Wow guys this is starting to get weird!!!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Postman on March 16, 2011, 01:05:34 am
  I once used snapping turtle scales off his shell. I also used scales off a tarpon I once caught. Looked cool just real shinny. I also used carp scales. The strangest on different for me was a black mamba skin over leg sinew form a cape buffalo that I got in on a trade on a bow.

Talk about a dangerous Bow!
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: david w. on March 16, 2011, 02:15:56 am
Whoa Postman, why would you ever give up a cannoli?
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: Sidewinder on March 16, 2011, 12:20:46 pm
You guys are hilarious. i thought i was the only smart*** and I now realize that it must come as a side effect of the bow bug. I have no strange backing to report ...yet. I think the neatest was a sturgeon skin someone posted.    Danny
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: GregB on March 16, 2011, 03:48:08 pm
Finely ground various kinds of flint gathered immediately after the Tennessee Classic! Sprinkled onto a thick wet layer of tru-oil, then after that coat dried...probably a dozen or more coats over the top. Dogwood bow won BOM with!  ;) Took a deer with it the next fall, and then semi-retired it.
Title: Re: Strangest bow backings.
Post by: HickoryBill on March 16, 2011, 04:02:45 pm
Greg: When you say finely ground do you mean like sand? Or finer?