Questions about sinew

[Chris Grimbowyer]

Hey guys I have a few questions about sinew. For one, Is it too high in humidity in the panhandle of florida to gain any real benefits from sinew? Question number two, Will real hide glue make an application of sinew better for performance than a glue like titebond 3? Final question, What type of woods are best fitted for sinew other than juniper cause I hear that one all the time? Thanx for all replies.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Lots of guys putting sinew on Osage and Hickory bows. Greg in Malad has a post right now where he sinewed an old Osage bow he built years ago.

I've never done it, but I may need to sometime in the future? I'd like to repair my first Osage longbow that lifted a splinter on a knot and I used flax for the repair. I'd like to remove the flax and fix it right with sinew and retiller it.

[Pat B]

High humidity does effect sinew backed bows quite a bit. I have a sinew backed hickory bow that can change as much as 20# (45# to 65#) depending on the humidity or lack of it.  You can use TBIII glue for sinew backing and it will be less sensative to humidity changes. I haven't built one but others are pleased with the results.
  Sinew works well with most woods. Some preferosage but other, lighter(physically) woods might have better performance.

[Legionnaire]

If I may suggest you use a good sealer like spar varnish to prevent to much moisture from getting into the sinew. It will be affected but the extent to which it is will also be determined by what you use to seal it. Good luck

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I have read that ERC is a good match with sinew. I cut some the other day and will find out soon enough.

 I just backed a hackberry bow with sinew and it seems pretty snappy. Didn't get the reflex I thought I would but I think I stressed it too soon out of being antsy. All in all I am satisfied with it though.

 Stiks

[John Scifres]

In order:  yes, no, osage

[Pat B]

Legionnaire, The bow I was referring to, sinew backed hickory that is my version of Jay Massey's Medicine Bow, I first sealed it with 2 coats of Massey finish then 4 or 5 coats of Tru-Oil and finally a quick spray of satin poly. When I finished the bow it was 56#@26". A month later in high summer humidity the draw weight fell to 45#@26". I sent this bow out to Colorado for Little John to play with for a while and it's weight increased to almost 65#. I've seen it fluctuate with humidity levels since I built it.
  In a high humidity area hickory and sinew are probably not a good combo because both the hickory and sinew/hide glue are quite hygroscopic. Osage or other oily woods probably wouldn't have as much weight swing but I will just have to test that thoery some more.