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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: razorsharptokill on April 01, 2011, 06:49:00 PM

Title: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 01, 2011, 06:49:00 PM
I have some soaking to back an osage bow. I noticed mine is about 1/8" thick. Too thick?
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: ranger 3 on April 01, 2011, 07:45:00 PM
Yes I think that is too thick.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: Pat B on April 01, 2011, 11:14:00 PM
I think so too. Deer or goat rawhide are the best. Very thin and strong.  You can sand down what you have and make it thinner.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: Walt Francis on April 01, 2011, 11:36:00 PM
Yep, too thick.

I haven't used goat, the best I have used is antelope
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 04, 2011, 08:33:00 PM
I will sand it down. What thickness?
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: Walt Francis on April 07, 2011, 12:37:00 AM
Until you can see through it.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on April 07, 2011, 06:41:00 AM
Sanding or rasping down sinew after it's dried won't violate the fibers? Or give it a place to split further on down the road?
I've never used sinew that's why I'm asking.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 07, 2011, 08:50:00 AM
This is rawhide.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on April 07, 2011, 09:36:00 AM
Ooops......sorry Razor, I posted in here before I had my coffee this morning.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: c'ville on April 10, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
this might be a given but make sure you sand on the flesh side and not the side that had the hair as that is where the strength comes from.
Title: Re: Thickness of rawhide for backing a selfbow?
Post by: Hess on April 10, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
I had a tough time with really thick cow rawhide once...bow lasted about, well, 1 shot.  Obviously a 'bowyer' error, and I'm using that term loosely.

Sorry bowyers