Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WhistlingBadger on March 18, 2020, 07:58:23 am
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Does it matter what kind of critter one uses for sinew backing? Our big-game harvest is pretty limited here in Wyoming, not like some of you guys that get to shoot four, five dozen white tails a year. ;) Collecting enough sinew for a bow (and a lot of extra for the inevitable screw-ups while I'm learning) could be a multi-year project.
But I have a friend who raises and butchers cattle for a living, and I'm pretty sure I could get all the angus tendons I could use from him. There's a buffalo ranch on the edge of town, and a yak ranch up in the Bighorns. Being a little less realistic, I'm also wondering about predators: I have a few friends that are avid bear and coyote hunters. A bow backed with bear sinew would feel like it had some good "magic" to it...
Just curious what you guys think. Is sinew sinew, or does it matter?
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There's a lot of opinion on this but really any sinew will work. It all does the same thing.
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I've heard the plains Indians used Buffalo sinew for their short bows.
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Years ago I got my hands on some bison leg tendon sinew. The old rancher in Colorado told me it was some of the best and I think he was correct. Easy to process, great yield, and very clean. Wish I could get my hands on some more. I'll take that over any other sinew. Just my preference.
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I have never used any thing but white tail back strap ,and leg sinew, so I have no idea, but it seems to do a good job.
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Bison sinew should work very well for any craft. It was the primary source of material for the plains people's! But I don't think they figured out how to use the grunt! May have to stop by the Terry Bison Ranch and see about getting some!
Hawkdancer
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I have a horn bow made with cow tendon. Works great.
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I've used deer, elk, bison, domestic cow and emu sinew. They all seem very similar in strength and elasticity.
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if you know folks that butcher, I would ask them for the leg from the knee down. a little less work for them, and you can get a continuous tendon from the knee to the toe.
if you offer to help your friend on butchering day, you might even get some other "trimmings" for the grill
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Thanks for the info, guys. Willie, he has a whole, professional butcher shop up that the ranch that he picked up for a song at an auction. I have a standing invitation to bring my elk up there and butcher it...if I could just manage to kill an elk!