sinew is amazing for short osage bows!!!!

[Justin Falon]

I am in the process of making a short osage bow.  I've always wanted a sinew backed bow so I cut the osage to 54" and put 4 layers of sinew on last winter.  Pretty much forgot about it until last week when I started to tiller it.  Currently 90#@25."  I am hoping for 85#@27" so it will be close. I will post some pics when I get closer to finish. I've never used sinew before but although it's a lot of work, I see the elastic properties could be endless!!!!!!

justin

[John Scifres]

It is magic  

[crgibson]

Very interesting Justin,

I have been working on a short Mock Orange 58"ntn low pounds at present 35# at 27" and it was suggested I sinew back my bow. Would also like to do this process as soon as I can round-up some sinew. Curious what your specs were before you added the sinew. Cant wait for some pix.   Thanks,Chuck

[Justin Falon]

Started as an osage quarter split.  Worked it down to about 5/8" and fairly uniform throughout both limbs.  It is still rigid in the handle section.  I may change it to bend in the handle.  I am totally shocked that it is working at all.  I may never use bamboo as a backing again.....

[crgibson]

Sorry Justin, I meant to ask what was your draw weight before you sinew backed? Just Curious

Thanks again, Chuck

[Justin Falon]

I don't know.  I originally meant for this to be a selfbow and I think at 60" long nock to nock, it was around 60# or maybe a tiny bit more. That was completely tillered.  I chopped the ends off and added the sinew.  Should have added the sinew before tillering because it took 1.5" of set.  Lesson learned!