Bow Backing Question

[Robyn Hode]

I am new to this forum and bow building. I am currently working on a red oak board bow with a cedar handle but I can not decide on a backing. I have some old silk ties I would like to use but I'm worried they all too short. The bow is 70 inches nock to nock and the ties are 54 to 56 inches in length. The handle is ten inches long and the bow will not bend through the handle. My questions are:
1. Do I have to back the entire limb or can I leave 5 to 10 inches before the nock un-backed?
2. Do I have to back the handle or can I just back the limb between the handle and the nock?

Thanks in advance.

[Pat B]

You only have to back the working portion of the limb but it is better to back across the handle to both limbs pull evenly on the backing. If you open up the tie you might have more material than you think. When I'm backing a bow with a soft backing I like to use a strip for each limb and overlap them in the handle.

[John Scifres]

You only need enough backing length for one limb with them meeting at the handle.  Overlap them the length of your wrap so the joint won't show.

[Robyn Hode]

Can I just back the bow from the fade to a couple inches before the nock and then wrap serving around the ends of the silk at the fade and nock?

If I have to use two ties, how do I get them the same color? Do people usually die the ties or paint them the same color?

Thanks for your help.

[talkingcabbage]

Something else you could do is just go to a hobby store and buy a small strip of fabric in whatever pattern you want. It wouldn't take much. Most of the fabric is 44" wide, which is plenty if you're overlapping the handle area.  I would not start at the fades, though. You really need to go through the handle area, just to give the extra strength that you're looking for. Otherwise, I think it'd be more of a decoration than functional.

[Robyn Hode]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I am going to find another backing. I will either get a cheap silk shirt or maybe cut down a Hickory board I have to back the bow.

Thanks again.

[George Tsoukalas]

Linen, silk dresses or fabric, and burlap will work. Silk ties will do too. Just wrap any seams or splices with decorative thread. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

[LittleBen]

I've heard of people buying silk pants at thrift shops ... might work if you've got one nearby ... You might even find some rally gaudy ones that are snakeskin or leopard print or something

[Robyn Hode]

George - When you say 'splices' does that mean I can use three pieces of the tie to cover the back? I thought I had to use two pieces one for each limb and over lap in the middle. Can I use three pieces one across the handle and one on each limb overlapping the piece across the handle and then use the thread like you suggested to cover where the ends overlap the piece across the handle?

[Robyn Hode]

George - When you say 'splices' does that mean I can use three pieces of the tie to cover the back? I thought I had to use two pieces one for each limb and over lap in the middle. Can I use three pieces one across the handle and one on each limb overlapping the piece across the handle and then use the thread like you suggested to cover where the ends overlap the piece across the handle?

[Pat B]

If you add a thread wrap at each splice it will hold just as well.