Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WhistlingBadger on January 03, 2021, 03:32:48 pm

Title: Hoof overlays?
Post by: WhistlingBadger on January 03, 2021, 03:32:48 pm
Just curious.  I see lots of horn tip overlays.  Anybody use hooves for that?  Seems like it would work, and be a lot easier to find.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Pat B on January 03, 2021, 03:54:13 pm
If it is thick enough. Deer is too thin I think. Cow or horse would probably work but I've never used either.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Digital Caveman on January 03, 2021, 03:59:51 pm
I am in the process of figuring out how how a deer leg is put together (harvesting sinew for the first time :));  maybe I'll see what I can do with the hooves. 
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: maitus on January 03, 2021, 04:12:22 pm
I have made a tool from moose hoof for wet hide molding. I think its not thick enough for overlays. Is about 5-6 mm thick.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Digital Caveman on January 03, 2021, 04:15:08 pm
That might work for me; I'm not a fan of bulky tips.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: maitus on January 03, 2021, 04:20:48 pm
So do I :D...
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 03, 2021, 10:35:03 pm
If you have enough hooves, you could throw them in a big pot with some bones, vinegar water and salt to make bone broth - supposed to be good for you!  I have seen them made into a rifle/bow rack, but I think you have to leave the sinew in.
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: PatM on January 03, 2021, 10:55:09 pm
Pig and cow hooves are used frequently.  The material does not need to be thick.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: dylanholderman on January 04, 2021, 05:54:21 am
I’ve used the pug hoof dog chews before, works fine the thickest material is closer to the sole and the sole itself is pretty thick but I never tried it before. The sole seemed kind of spongy in the ones I got.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Allyn T on January 04, 2021, 06:11:48 am
I had wondered about this same thing
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Pappy on January 04, 2021, 06:41:41 am
I have used deer hoofs several times, just have to clean well and they are a little pores, but worked fine. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: monoloco on January 04, 2021, 07:35:11 am
I have used deer hoofs several times, just have to clean well and they are a little pores, but worked fine. :)
 Pappy

Pappy, would love to see pics or more details.  I'd love to be able to use whitetail hooves - hate wasting any of the deer.
thx
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: DC on January 04, 2021, 12:48:35 pm
I've used dog chew hooves a lot. The sole does seem to be thicker and softer but it works fine. Sure stinks when you run it against a belt sander :)
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Marc St Louis on January 04, 2021, 01:13:02 pm
I used Moose hooves a few times many years ago.  Worked well
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on January 04, 2021, 01:16:52 pm
I used deer hooves on one bow. I ground out all the porous stuff and just used the solid material toward the outside. It was thin, but there was enough there that it worked. I didn't shoot that bow a lot, and no longer have it. It was rawhide backed osage, bend through the handle. I wouldn't bother with it again. A thicker hoof perhaps, but not deer. Jmo.
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: Fox on January 05, 2021, 07:43:30 pm
WB, I've been wondering that too.. I have taken all the hooves of my last few deer, how you do it is boil some water and stick the foot in the hot water for maybe 10 minutes or so. then just pull the hoof off with a pare of pliers. but back to using them as overlays... theres really not much more then maybe 1/16" thick  of actually keratin (finger nail) the hooves are mostly bone really.

-Fox
Title: Re: Hoof overlays?
Post by: WhistlingBadger on January 06, 2021, 07:00:42 am
Interesting.  Thanks for the replies, guys.  Good to know.
T