board bow backing

[karrow]

ive been working on a red oak board bow and was wanting to back it with either silk or linen. i have some heavy brown paper. my question is... is silk or linen better backing or would i b happy with the paper? any advice will help thanks

[William F. Adams]

Silk or linen would be better.

Paper is okay.

Silk, when stretched can actually improve the performance.

http://books.google.com/books?id=oScDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA140&dq=silk+bow+backing&hl=en&ei=frQnTfLJK8GB8gaNheTKAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=silk%2 0bow%20backing&f=false

[mpalmer9]

I have made 3 red oak bows backed with linen and never had problems with any of them.

[J. Holden]

My red oak board bow is backed with brown paper.  At first I thought I wouldn't like it.  After I applied it and then stained it, I'm gonna do it on my next one.  Give it a try.

-Jeremy