Planning my first bow - what to back with?

[JackSprat]

I'm going to use a red oak board (assuming Lowe's has one good enough), but I'd like to back the bow for the durability and extra weight. What can I use that's cheap and possibly available at large retailers? There are no hardwood dealers near me that I could find, but I'd like to avoid shipping times and charges. Maybe someone here has some ideas? Or even links to decent sites to buy the wood online if I have to? Thanks...

[Roy from Pa]

Rawhide or Sinew would work.

[Pat B]

For protection, brown paper bag, silk, linen or rawhide. For performance, sinew or hickory backing. For extra weight just tiller it out to the weight you want.

[Jomohr84]

I have also used canvas, and it has worked out fine for me so far, worth a try if you have some on hand or can find it cheap. I found a lot of it for $2.00, so have done several bows with it, and it doesn't look too bad either. Definitely doesn't enhance performance, but I haven't lifted any splinters yet, so it has given me a little peace of mind. I know red oak is pretty good in tension, but not as much in compression, so be careful not to overpower the belly. I wonder if rawhide, sinew or hickory might be too much for red oak, not really sure. I would probably go with the paper bag, silk or linen, imho.

[JackSprat]

Some good suggestions there, thanks. I'll probably go with something simple like the canvas for the first time out.

[George Tsoukalas]

My site may help you. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

[John Scifres]

Canvas is heavy and unnecessary.  Use linen cloth or silk ties from thrift stores/garage sales.

I wouldn't use a good hickory or bamboo backing on your first red oak bow.  Learn how to tiller on red oak boards and then spend some cash on the good stuff.

Good luck, take pics and post your success, or lessons learned  

[Robinson H]

Jack,
I am on board bow #4 and have used silk from some ladies pants I found at the thrift store.  It only cost a few dollars and I have enough silk for several more bows.  Thanks goodness, too!  I am still trying to get that tillering thing down!!
Rob

[JackSprat]

Thanks for all the replies. Why is silk more desirable than canvas? Is it just the weight? Also, thanks George for the link, it'll help if I go with silk.

[pronghorn23]

I made one following these directions:

 http://poorfolkbows.com/oak.htm

The sheetrock tape is cheap and you can make a bunch of bows with one roll. Not as aesthetically pleasing though.

[John Scifres]

Yea, it's the weight.  Canvas is heavy compared to silk, and not as strong to boot.