any suggestions on a bow backing to add strength and allow a couple inches more of safe draw?

Sinew will do both. Tell us about the bow.

thinking about a u finish 58 inch hickory bow
would like to be able to safely go to 28 inches

Thought about burlap or rawhide

if the bow is well made that shouldn't be a problem.
you can add reflex by stringing the bow slightly backwards before adding the sinew and it will keep or add mode reflex as the sinew/hide glue cures out. 
i prefer hide glue(or Knox gelatin) for sinew but other options are available.

Hickory/sinew makes a great combo the bow in the pic I did severale years ago and it shoots like day 1 still ,I have made severale 60" that I pull to 31" so your 58" would be no issue at your draw with hickory/sinew ,I prefer purified hide glue as it has a slower gel time then Knox & use between 800-1200 grains of elk leg sinew in 3-4 plys sanding each layer when  cured !

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This Website consists of FG bows and wood bows,  what the hey is wrong with using a synthetic backing.  Backings I have used Nylon, Polyester, FG, brown bag, silk, Linen, Oak and maple.  As far as brown bag, linen and  silk go I found no strength at all using those.  Polyester is hands down the best I have used..!  Its thin fabric so it does not add any weight.  Anyway its simply a Hybrid bow.   I don't use Sinew because of the application process.

The problem I had using FG is not over powering the belly so much as it increased the tension so much that the bows snapped.

I don't think any of those other backings will allow you to over draw the bow like sinew will.

What backings are you referring to.   Th polyester seems to work just fine, its bidirectional like the Glass.  Its glued on with TB so it will give and stretch side to and somewhat longitudinal.  I agree with the sinew.

No backing, except sinew, will add to the draw weight of a bow.

If I want to add draw weight I add a lam.  Adding draw weight is not what I'm looking for its protection, splinter lifting.   If a bow comes under weight I hang it on the rack I build another one.

Wolftrail -- the OP was asking for   "any suggestions on a bow backing *to add strength* and allow a couple inches more of safe draw?"

My mistake I should stay with the OP's  post. 

 

Quote from: KenH on June 11, 2019, 03:11:48 PM


No backing, except sinew, will add to the draw weight of a bow.

Yup.  I'm pretty sure any other backings will rob cast.

Not only will they rob cast but they won't allow the wanted over drawn draw length like sinew will. Actually sinew preforms better overdrawn.