Hickory bows for grnadsons

[wolfshadow]

Friends,
I made 2 hickory bows for my grandsons; they tillered out nicely, but pull at 22# and 26#, so you know they are not too thick. Should I back them? Can't afford snake on kids bows.  Never tried rawhide, but if I did, where's a good source?  Primitive Archer Mag just had an article about backing with linen.  Anybody tried this? Author used PVA glue?  What is that and where do you get it?  If I ordered some rawhide, what's the best adhesive for that? I'll appreciate any help I can get.
Wolfshadow

[Steve Clandinin]

I've built alot of Hickory boardbows,both backed and unbacked.At the length and weight you made them you should have no problem unbacked.Dry Hickory is mitty tough stuff!

[ishoot4thrills]

If you made the bows from a stave and didn't violate any growth rings on the back, then the bows should be okay, if tillered properly.

On the other hand, if you made the bows from a board or accidentally cut through a growth ring or two, then the bow(s)' integrity might be in jeopardy. IF that's the case, then a backing would be appropriate here. If it was me, I would go with rawhide. You might try getting one or two of those gigantic rawhide dog bones you find at Wal-Mart or any pet shop. Or, you can go to 3 Rivers' or Kustom King's website and order rawhide from them. If using the dog bone rawhide, take it and soak it in water to soften it up real good and do a search in the bowyers' section on here for backing bows and go from there.

Again, if the bows are tillered properly and were made form a stave with a solid growth ring on the back, the bows should last many, many years.