Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Weylin on June 29, 2014, 11:25:43 pm

Title: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: Weylin on June 29, 2014, 11:25:43 pm
About how many bow backings could get out of a deer rawhide that was about 55-60" long?
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: Pat B on June 30, 2014, 12:14:18 am
Figure they will be 1 3/4" to 2" wide. It will take 2 per bow and you overlap them in the handle. How wide is yor hide?
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: wizardgoat on June 30, 2014, 12:41:53 am
I got one recently and was able to get enough for 6 bows, plus lots of scraps.
The hide cost me about 90, so about 15$ a bow. Still cheaper than what you'd get else where.
I could of got more, I made mine 2.5" wide.
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: Weylin on June 30, 2014, 12:48:15 am
Thanks guys!

Pat, I don't know how wide the hide is because I haven't bought it yet. I'm trying to do the math and make sure it's economical. Wizardgoat's math was the kind of input I was looking for and that sound's about right. The hide I'm looking at is about $90.
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: PatM on June 30, 2014, 12:54:38 am
Keep in mind that the actual strength of the hide varies greatly across the width. If you really want the hide to protect a back choose your strip placement wisely.
 Only Kangaroo hide is the same strength all over and in all directions.
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: Weylin on June 30, 2014, 01:00:43 am
Keep in mind that the actual strength of the hide varies greatly across the width. If you really want the hide to protect a back choose your strip placement wisely.
 Only Kangaroo hide is the same strength all over and in all directions.

How do you judge that and how much of hide do you use/discard?
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: wizardgoat on June 30, 2014, 01:57:16 am
Ya, inspect them closely if possible. There can be some holes in them.
The outer edges are a little thiner than the middle of the hide, just root through them
and find a good one
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: Pappy on June 30, 2014, 06:51:32 am
90 bucks for 1 rawhide deer hide,wow. I'm seating on a gold mine. ;) :) :) I would say at least 6 ,maybe more if you watch what you are doing as you lay them out. :)
  Pappy
Title: Re: How many backing strips can you get out of a hide?
Post by: JW_Halverson on June 30, 2014, 04:04:10 pm
Keep in mind that the actual strength of the hide varies greatly across the width. If you really want the hide to protect a back choose your strip placement wisely.
 Only Kangaroo hide is the same strength all over and in all directions.

Not exactly true, roo hides are trimmed of much of the inside rear leg, all the front leg and a fair amount of belly.  What's left over is mostly similar strength, the belly flap can be a little stretchy and the back leg section will stretch lengthwise.  Still the best leather I have ever laid hands on!  I can't imagine how wunnerful 'roo rawhide would be for backing bows.