Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BrokenArrow on November 25, 2014, 05:49:56 pm

Title: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: BrokenArrow on November 25, 2014, 05:49:56 pm

I have a 52 inch recurved tips backed osage bow with a thick rawhide backing.
If this breaks is it possible the backing would tear and the bow explode?

Title: Re: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: PatM on November 25, 2014, 05:56:47 pm

The backing is supposed to protect the bow so generally the backing would have to tear first although slivers can break under a backing.

Title: Re: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: bradsmith2010 on November 25, 2014, 07:00:37 pm

yes that is possible

Title: Re: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: Pat B on November 25, 2014, 08:28:26 pm

I had a rawhide backed osage blow after 1000 shots; I slightly over drew it...and it blew into a bunch of pieces, rawhide and all.
 Rawhide will help hold a bow together but if a bow is gonna blow a rawhide backing won't necessarily stop it from blowing.

Title: Re: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: PatM on November 25, 2014, 08:46:46 pm

Rawhide is also one of those materials that is going to generally have pretty poor quality control. If you buy it you have no idea how much it was allowed to decay  in order to get the hair to slip.
That can greatly alter the tensile strength.

Title: Re: Osage rawhide backed shortbow question
Post by: bradsmith2010 on November 26, 2014, 08:44:18 pm

if you can get it with the hair on,, maybe more stable if you take it off yourself