After a short hiatus of 5 years I got back into bow building.
Got a question on rawhide backing. I've got a stave that's really nice except the rings are around 1/16th to 1/8th. I know I can get a bow out of it. But, when should I back it? Before I start bending it or later? (during tillering)
Thanks,
Lee
lee how long is it ? if it s got ring s good enough follow 1 ring there s ur back i never back osage unless it s real bad OR REAL SHORT brock
I'm with Brock. Find a ring that's an eight thick and use it. If you really feel the need to back it do it before bendin.
I agree with the guys above. I love thin ringed osage but I'm talking 1/32" to 1/16" with knots. Then I use rawhide. If you have a clean back ring you do not need to back osage.
Well it's off to the shop. We'll see where I end up!
Thanks for the input!
Man the Osage almost needs it own forum with all the osage builds going on right now. Show us pics as you go along if you can, I know I will pick something up.
Kelly
Progress on this one came to a halt. I got this stave about 6yr. ago. For shipping the person that sent me the stave did some heavy duty drawknifing to keep shipping costs down. I was chasing a ring that was suitable for the back and was really easy to follow. I chased it the entire length, no problems until I flipped it around. On the upper (we'll call it that for now)limb about mid limb it looked a little thinner than the rest of the limb. The grain took a natural dip and the individual who sent me the stave took a little to much off with the draw knife. (in case you wanted to know it flexes there and could be a problem later)
So I'm stopping right there, going to look at it ponder it and perhaps it might be my first bendy handle short bow. Although i was hoping for a 68" flat bow.
All is not lost about the same time I got this stave, I purchased one from John Scifres I've got this one shaping up nicely Pic's tomorrow (wife went to NYC with camera). It's now snow shoveling time.
LEE GOOD IDEA TO STOP GET OUT UR LIL GOOSENECK SCRAPER WORK THE LIL BENDS FOLLOW UR RING IF YA HAVE TO GO DOWN A RING AS LONG AS YA HAVE 1 GOOD RING THE LEGTH OF THE STAVE UR GOOD POST PIC S WELL HELP YA BROCK PS HOW MUCH SNOW YA GOT ? I GOT A LIL SQUALL MOVED OUT WINDS DOIN 50 MPH NOW SO IN HOUSE WORKIN ON MY TRADE PROJECT
I'm down to one ring, but the draw knife work done by another left a real thin spot that bends. Since the rings are really thin from there on down. It's a mediocre stave so instead of making firewood. I'll wait, contemplate and make a bendy handle bow maybe with some sinew!
I'm going to work on the other stave from John.
If you can chase you don't need to back it. My last bow's back is 1/16 in. I almost always back after long string tillering. Jawge
George sent u a PM