Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bow101 on August 29, 2013, 10:26:48 pm

Title: Backings
Post by: bow101 on August 29, 2013, 10:26:48 pm
What is the best backing on a selfbow that has a iregular surface, and I don't want to use sinew, hide nor silk.....
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: DuBois on August 29, 2013, 10:45:16 pm
You could use rawhide? I learned a trick from Gun doc and it worked well. He used coozies but I used 2" strips off a foam yoga mat and laid them over the rawhide and then wrapped with ace bandages and it formed the rawhide to the surface.
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 29, 2013, 11:09:19 pm
What is the best backing on a selfbow that has a iregular surface, and I don't want to use sinew, hide nor silk.....

Sounds like you are backing yourself into a fiberglass lined corner.  Any reason these three materials are off the table?
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: Pat B on August 30, 2013, 12:29:01 am
Hickory, elm, hard maple, ash, brown grocery bag paper, burlap, linen, raw flax and the list goes on. .....
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: NeolithicMan on August 30, 2013, 12:41:27 am
raw flax, stripped nettle skin, I had an idea for using old denim jeans as a backing but have not tried it yet.


John Central NY
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: DuBois on August 30, 2013, 02:00:07 am
Old guitar strap?
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: bubby on August 30, 2013, 05:57:32 am
if its a self bow the only backing it gets is air
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: Dances with squirrels on August 30, 2013, 07:18:41 am
An old car seat belt?

Seriously, I saw it wih my own eyes. Disgusting.
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: crooketarrow on August 30, 2013, 08:25:02 am
  RAW HIDE is the easyest. HICKORY slabs work good also. But takes a lot of prep work to fit it.
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: bow101 on August 30, 2013, 01:45:11 pm
What is the best backing on a selfbow that has a iregular surface, and I don't want to use sinew, hide nor silk.....

Sounds like you are backing yourself into a fiberglass lined corner.  Any reason these three materials are off the table?


Ok you talked me into it I guess I'll use silk.. :P
 As far as Denim goes I have used it, You have to use a lot of glue as it soaks it up. One coat first to get it to adhere, then about 2 more coats for final finish.
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: rossfactor on August 30, 2013, 03:10:45 pm
Silk is awesome. Linen is also awesome. I think linen stretches less.

Gabe
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 30, 2013, 03:48:10 pm
linen, burlap or silk would be my choices. Jawge
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: thegreatwhale on August 30, 2013, 06:30:05 pm
has anyone ever tried hemp? its a pretty tough natural material isn't it?
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: koan on August 30, 2013, 06:51:40 pm
I have used raw flax with TB3... I loved it.. Looks like sinew but dont shrink up so get the reflex ya want before applying... I use it alot for feather wraps to... my 2 cents... Brian
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 30, 2013, 07:30:10 pm
Hemp, no never did even though the '66-'70 were my college years. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: thegreatwhale on August 30, 2013, 07:53:31 pm
the nice part of hemp is that you can buy it fairly cheap from michaels in various thicknesses  for cheap, if you're not growing a male plant that you can harvest it from. =]
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: 4dog on August 30, 2013, 08:08:15 pm
Hemp, no never did even though the '66-'70 were my college years. :) Jawge

Thanks for helping me feel young today,, bless ya!!! Lol
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: rossfactor on August 31, 2013, 02:50:55 am
Yep I tried hemp,  but I do live in Humboldt County so cut me some slack :o

Seriously though, I backed a red oak board bow, with hemp cord, saturated in TB2 years ago (looked it up, it was either 7 or 8 years ago).

Here's a couple pics. It had a hemp wrap handle also. Should have made a hemp string too...

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/rossfactor/redoak5.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/rossfactor/redoak2.jpg)

Gabe
Title: Re: Backings
Post by: JonW on August 31, 2013, 03:15:20 am
Rawhide or feed sack paper is good.