Red oak backing help needed

[walkabout]

im working on my first red oak board bow, and have a question about backing materials. i backed it with brown paper but the first layer had wrinkles =\\"gotta love the learning curve" so i sanded the wrinkles out of that layer and added a second layer, which was wrinkle free. my question is whether or not i could apply a hemp cord backing over this layer or would it be overkill. im trying to come out with a finished product that would be more primitive than modern, as it was inspired by the cherokee warbows ive seen in tbb."even hand twisted my string.lol" any help would be appreciated.

[Rich Evans]

you could paint the paper backing, i believe some of the indian tribes used to decorate the back of the bow with paints. one guy on here stained his backing with wood stain and it looked cool. or try a faux finish to make it look like snake skin or cherry bark.

i think the hemp cord backing would be overkill though.

[walkabout]

Yea, ive been researching alot for this bow, found some of the pics of painted ones, but thought a hemp backing might be nice.im not sure if staining is an option now cus ive put a sealing layer of TBIII over the paper.

[walkabout]

as for other materials, im waiting on a buddy to let me know about some snakeskins. But i might save those for my next bow.

[4est trekker]

When you're applying a backing that is designed to prevent splinters (i.e. silk, linen, rawhide, paper, drywall tape, etc.) you want it to be as thin as safely and effectively possible.  If it gets too thick it goes into more tension than it can take and will fail, taking the bow along with it.

[walkabout]

Not sure if anyones interested or not, but my string is made from artificial sinew "the natural colored kind from tandy leather". It turned out pretty nice. i used 2 7 strand bundles with a flemish twist loop on one end and a timber hitch on the other end. My bow pulls 49#@ 27", and it hasnt failed me yet.Maybe after i figure out how to post pics ill elaborate.

[walkabout]

thanx for the reply 4est, i tried paper backing after looking through posts of your bows.lol. anyway i might just try a finish over the paper and see how it turns out. Did you stain your paper backings before you put them on or after? i dont think mine will take stain now cus ive done a sealer coat of titebond.

[bubby]

you can pait your bow in a native design or sand off the paper and use a burlap backing, looks good and primitive also. I would paint the paper backed bow and build a new bow with a differant backng material, ya can't build to many bows

[walkabout]

thanks everyone for the replies. I joined the site cus im always searching it for info and how to's, and it never disapoints. Its nice to have people who are willing to share their two cents with us who are just starting out.

[4est trekker]

I trim and true the limbs' front profiles, but I don't round the corners just yet.  I first glue on the paper backing, leaving it overhang and 1" or so.  When the glue is dry and cured, I stain the paper.  The overhang will prevent it from getting onto the wood.  Then with a rasp I round the edges of the bow which simultaneously trims the paper.  A little sandpaper and steel wool finishes it off.