board bow backing?

[iacornfed]

Hey folks Iam building my first board bow from red oak. I found a 6ft 2 by 2 with fantastic straight grain and about 1 inch reflex. So I making a flat bow. What type of inexspensive backing should I use? I have already glued antler on the back of the tips.  

[EASTERNARCHER]

I'm afraid that maybe you should have glued on your backing first and then add the overlays so they blend in to the backing. Hickory, Bamboo, rawhide with hideglue or linnen all make great backings.
But I've been wrong before.

[Dingus]

I've made several board bows from camo fabric, purchased from the local fabric store.  For wife, daughter and others, I've also used fabric from their hobbies (music, comics, flags, etc.).  Not too expensive and works fine.

[Pat B]

Brown paper bag and Tite-Bond glue will hold it together, silk or linen are good cheap backings also. Goodwill is a good source.   Pat

[John Scifres]

If it has fantastic grain, why back it?

[BamBooBender]

John has a good point. I have made several board bows from red oak up to 60# that were unbacked. If you just want a little insurance then silk ,linen(unbleached muslin), (as mentioned by PatB)are good lightweight backings. Natural jute burlap is another good one. Bamboo and hickory are great backing materials too, but you gotta get them really thin or they will likely overpower the red oak belly.

[sar]

Is there any easily available transparent backing that will allow the natural grain to show through?

[Grayishhues]

Clear Glass

[Tim Clark]

Mylar. hehe! Not sure how you'd glue it, though...

[Pat B]

Thin Rawhide will sometimes let whats under show through.    Pat

[iacornfed]

Thanks for the info guys. I will use some sort of cloth backing.