Preparing raw sinew

[osagehickory]

I have several pieces of raw backstrap sinew.  I do not know how to prepare them for a bow.  Can anyone let me know how?


Thanks

[Silent Bear]

Backstrap will normally just pull apart lengthwise with your fingers if your having a hard time try pounding it with a rock to make it softer and then pull it apart until it looks like thread

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

Make sure that you get all of the meat& fat off.  wash it and let it dry.  keep it stretched during the drying process.  For pounding make sure that you use a river stone that has no sharp edges whatsoever.  I pound it on a 15" diameter stump.  Make sure you keep your fingers from between the rock and hard place!   :eek:    

Good luck

pete

[osagehickory]

Do I need to wash it in bleach water?  How do I dry it flat?  Does it need to dry flat?

[Pat B]

I lay fresh back sinew on wax paper for a few days to dry. Be sure your dog or cat can't get to it...or they will!    Once dry I put a piece between my hands and rub them together back and forth until the sinew separares then pull apart the strands.

[osagehickory]

Do I need to clean off the meat that is still on it before drying or does it come off when rubbing with hands?  Sorry for all the questions, I just dont want to screw it up and end up with nothing!

thanks

[Pat B]

The meat comes of easier when fresh. Use a spoon or butter knife(not sharp) and scrape it a little and the meat and excess fat should come off. When I wet sinew I like to wash it is Dawn dish soap and warm water to remove any grease that might be present.

[osagehickory]

I have so many pieces to do...40, yes 20 deers worth... Can I freeze them as they are with meat on them and pull several out as I have time to do them?  Will freezing them hurt the sinew's use?

[Pat B]

Freezing won't hurt the sinew. It will clean up easier when fresh. It only takes a minute or so to clean off the meat and it will take most of what you have for a bow backing. Back sinews don't go as far as leg sinews so more are needed.
  Save a few for wraps, either on bows or arrows. The longer back sinews work best for these.

[KellyG]

Has anyone done a harvest along on this. I would love to see the process form retreiving from the animal to preparing for the bow. I have read about it but on here I get to ask if something is not clear and it get dummyfied for me.
Thanks,
Kelly

[osagehickory]

Check out youtube.  use utilizing sinew as your search and also extract sinew.  These 2 will show you some good stuff.  I am a person who can do better if I can see it and do it myself as well.  
Hope this works.

[osagehickory]

So how many backstrap sinews (about) will it take for a 68 inch hickory??  Lets say these pieces are average of 8 to 10 in length?

[osagehickory]

So how many backstrap sinews (about) will it take for a 68 inch hickory??  Lets say these pieces are average of 8 to 10 in length?

[KellyG]

thanks

[Pat B]

You could put a single layer on the whole bow with probably 6 or 8 back sinews. Figure at least 3 layers to complete the job.

[Silent Bear]

Why are you wanting to use sinew for a bow that long ? I would save the sinew for a better time if you ever want to make a shorter bow

[hova]

i might have to call my local deer station... i might give sinew a try...


why is leg better than back? just stronger or is there more of it?


-hov
\\