Crack lifted in osage back

[Ed Isaacs]

Several years ago the late Joe Mattingly sent me a nice snaky roughed out bow that had a V-shaped crack on the back in the working portion of the lower limb.  From time to time I've tried to glue it down with epoxy, super glue, etc but it always seems to pop back up when the bow is flexed very much.  The bow is too thin to simply remove another growth ring.

My question is: what should I back it with in order to repair this beautiful bow to be?  I'm leaning toward rawhide, but am not sure it will be strong enough.  Don't want to use glass, but that may be my only viable option. The back is wavy so a rigid backing is out; I've toothed the back to prepare for better grip.  I don't have a pic at this moment, but will try to put one on this evening.  Thanks, Ed

[ringo64]

back it with sinew

[Eric Krewson]

I have two of these on my favorite bow to stop back splintering. Sinew wrapped with knox gelatin and covered with "primitive" epoxy acetone finish.

The picture is pretty fuzzy but you can get the idea.

 

[Dano]

Yep, I agree with Eric. There ain't a stronger repair out there.

[Deerhntr]

I used the same method to strengthen the upper part of my Boo flooring bows riser at the fade. The thinnest part of the fade popped loose when shooting it and I was worried the riser might pop loose also so I wrapped it in sinew and haven't had a problem with it sence.

[Ed Isaacs]

thanks all!  I'm preparing the deer leg sinew now.