Rawhide as a backing

[BigIndian]

I was wondering if rawhide could be used as a backing on red oak.  I have a few staves and want to get at 'em.  Also is Tite Bond a good glue to use?

[Crittergetter]

I personally haven't used red oak before, but I have used rawhide on red elm and was pleased! I used TB3

[Pat B]

Do you need to back the red oak? Rawhide will work but so will silk, linen or brown grocery bag paper. TBIII will work for any of these.

[timbermoose]

agree with pat. i've backed a few with rawhide i got from 3rivers, but my fav to use is the whitetail rawhide i got from Clay Hayes. but i think he's out of stock at the moment. i've used TBIII as well as regular wood glue from HD. makes a real nice canvas for painting or staining or left
natural.

[Pat B]

Rawhide does make a good palette for design.  This is the TG trade bow I'm building. It has a rawhide backing with a blotted pattern done with leather dye and a dry sponge.

[BigIndian]

Originally posted by Pat B:
Do you need to back the red oak? Rawhide will work but so will silk, linen or brown grocery bag paper. TBIII will work for any of these.

[BigIndian]

Thanks to all who posted a reply.  I see some runoff of the grain so thought a backing would be in good order.  I just happened to have some rawhide laying around.  I didn't know if it would work or take a finish, but seeing the posts, I guess it would.  Thanks Again!!

Big Indian
4 years left in the military
then I can focus on bow making
full time!!!!