Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on June 20, 2018, 04:05:52 pm

Title: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 20, 2018, 04:05:52 pm

Hi Guys,
I am about to sinew a bow. I've researched the old isinglass threads, and some of the old hide glue threads , and several suggest isinglass is superior to gelatin and that mixing in hide glue extends working time. Does that mean you can mix Knox with isinglass and, if so, what sort of proportions work nicely? Thanks

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: Pat B on June 20, 2018, 10:01:29 pm

What is isinglass? a glue?

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: TorstenT on June 20, 2018, 10:34:17 pm

Isinglass is made from swim bladders of fish (originally from Beluga sturgeons, but now they use cod, I think). As far as I know, it counts among the strongest glutin based glues. I don’t have any experience with it, though...

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: lebhuntfish on June 21, 2018, 12:15:20 am

Don't know about fish bladder glue.  But Knox works awesome! I always use it for sinew backed bows.

Patrick

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 21, 2018, 06:49:58 am

Isinglass is also very cheap - I just picked up a small box from a home-brew shop for £3 ($4 )

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 21, 2018, 01:27:49 pm

Quote from: stuckinthemud on June 21, 2018, 06:49:58 am

Isinglass is also very cheap - I just picked up a small box from a home-brew shop for £3 ($4 )

Or not; got home, thought something didn't feel right, checked on-line and found I'd bought something called 'chitosan', dunno about chitosan, certainly feel cheated........

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: DaveMac on June 21, 2018, 01:47:27 pm

chitosan is used as a fining agent in wine, when Ive used it, it comes as a gel don't think it will set.

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: JW_Halverson on June 21, 2018, 02:24:31 pm

Chitosan is made from shrimp shells.  Throw it on a cut that's bleeding and it will bust a hump to get it clotted fast! It also has some anti-bacterial characteristics.

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: bubby on June 22, 2018, 08:17:37 am

The thing with what you bought is it isn't croaker glue, that's why it was cheap

Title: Re: isinglass and knox mix?
Post by: BowEd on June 22, 2018, 08:23:25 am

You can control gelling time by manipulating your working enviornment also.Keeping it warmer than normal.I sinew by the wood stove to accomplish that.Warm higher humidity days in the summer will accomplish that too.