Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: 1/2primitive on November 13, 2007, 07:42:01 pm
-
I've got a question regarding sinew bowstrings. I made one a while ago, but after drying, it turned out to be too thin. Like very thin. About the size of four or so strands of Dacron. Now I could figure out how thick to make them through trial and error, but I don't want to waste all that work, and sinew. 'I'll ask on PA', I thought, so here I am, which brings me to my question (if you haven't gotten what I'm going to ask already), how thick should I make a sinew bowstring to make it about normal bowstring diameter after drying?
Sean
-
.....................I make mine 1/4 " er so and it dries ta about 3/ 16 " or a little less...........bob
-
Two backstraps. That's all I can tell yah, as I haven't measured mine. keep going until you used both strips, and if the string is too thin, then simply fold it in half and double it up.
-
Well, I would like to use backstraps, but I don't have any. I made one from backstrap sinew, but then it was gone, I think the dog may have gotten it when we were gone. :P Actually, I got two strips and ended up useing a little more than one of them, maybe your strips are smaller than mine were.
Sean
-
The string I’m shouting right now is between 1/8“ and 1/7“ thick. When wet and before being stretched and dry it should be a bit over ¼” thick. See: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3329.0.html
-
the problem I have with my sinew bowstrings is that they usually end up being too thick! Sinew will shrink a little less than half, so about 40%. I try to make mine a little over 1/8 of an inch thick, twist it tightly, then let it dry under tension. I first soak, then chew my sinew before I twist it into the string. I use split deer leg sinew, but it usually takes several hours to make a string several feet long. Back sinew would work much better and go much quicker. I think I'll try back sinew next time.