Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Ballasted_Bowyer on December 22, 2022, 04:21:30 pm

Title: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Ballasted_Bowyer on December 22, 2022, 04:21:30 pm
I was at the farm store today and they had dried tendon as dog chews. I wonder if this could be used as sinew for backing?
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Fox on December 22, 2022, 05:51:55 pm
I was wondering that too.. maybe we should see if the sinew is usable. I worry it was cooked or something though.
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Pat B on December 22, 2022, 06:19:53 pm
It's probably cow tendons and I've successfully used cow sinew on a bow. The stuff I got was given to me already shredded and degreased but I've heard cow tendons are very greasy so you will have to degrease them well. Once shredded I'd wash the sinew in warm water and Dawn dish soap.
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: superdav95 on December 22, 2022, 06:59:13 pm
Only thing you’d have to find out is if the sinew chews were forced dry by a dehydrater or heated up to dry up faster.  Air dry is the only safe way imho.  I found that using a dehydrator to dry it became more brittle compared to air dried.  I would test out some on bending piece of wood core to be sure before putting bunch on a bow.  Best of luck.   
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Muskyman on December 22, 2022, 10:49:53 pm
Ballasted, you out there cutting some of that pacific yew down to put that sinew on.
My daughter went to grad school in Oregon. My wife and I love it out there. We talked about taking a trip out there and naturally I started thinking about finding yew to cut and send back.
If you were cutting some down we might be able to do some trading. Lots of Osage around here..
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Ballasted_Bowyer on December 23, 2022, 10:24:26 am
Ballasted, you out there cutting some of that pacific yew down to put that sinew on.
My daughter went to grad school in Oregon. My wife and I love it out there. We talked about taking a trip out there and naturally I started thinking about finding yew to cut and send back.
If you were cutting some down we might be able to do some trading. Lots of Osage around here..

That would be great, but I know of only one yew tree near me and I’m not going to cut it. I’m too nostalgic. I’m going to be experimenting with Maul Oak as soon as I figure out how to split it. My iron maul bounced off a 6” piece.
Title: Re: Sinew from a dog chew?
Post by: Muskyman on December 23, 2022, 11:46:23 am
I understand completely. Good luck splitting your wood.. I’ve read that pacific yew aren’t as plentiful as they once were because the drug companies were cutting them for the bark, which they were using for some form of cancer treatment. I have heard they’re coming back somewhat..