Raw Hide Backing

[Gottabow]

Does Raw Hide backing add anything to a bow..like draw weight wise or can ya impart reflex with this type of backing?  Thanks

[William F. Adams]

No.

Backings which will ``work'' (add draw weight) are sinew, wood or bamboo, or silk if stretched --- nifty article on the latter here:

 http://books.google.com/books?id=oScDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA140&dq=silk+backing+archery+bow&hl=en&ei=wCRxTpCdFObI0AHU5MT3CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=silk%20backing%20archery%20bow&f=false

[Art B]

Rawhide will add weight to your bow when it turns cold. I've noticed as much as 4# change when temps drop. No, you're not going to be able to add reflex with a rawhide backing. You can however first do that with heat and then back........Art

[Gottabow]

So what are the benefits of Raw Hide Backing?

[William F. Adams]

Rawhide will prevent splinters from lifting if the grain on the back isn't perfect.

[Gottabow]

Will it also enable you to go with a shorter bow?

[Pat B]

Not as much as good tillering will. Rawhide is only insurance!

[PEARL DRUMS]

If its only insurance, I got a policy coming in the mail this week Pat! I am building a 59" static. Im gluing my rawhide on this week. I will check back and let you know what I find as far as weight and such.

[Pat B]

Give it plenty of time to dry back out, Pearlie. The wood will soak up moisture from the glue.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I got half glued down last night, wrapped it with Ace bandage and made the mistake of putting spring clamps all the way down the one limb. I unwrapped this morning and the stuff stuck down perfectly all the way around, the problem is I have clamp marks now and not enough thickness leftover to get rid of them with sandpaper. I suppose skins would cover it right up. It did work wonderfully................so far. I will give it another 4-5 days of drying before I finish tillering the bow.

[Pat B]

You might try placing a damp rag over the rawhide backing and see if it will swell a little. this may eliminate the clamp marks.
  When I add any backing(rawhide, snake skins, etc) I will wrap it with cloth strips(Ace bandage works too) but only for an hour or so until the glue bewgins to set. After that I remove the wrap and trim the excess backing with a sharp razor. I also check for air and excess glue pockets and if found I make a small slit, lengthwise to the limbs, in the backing and squeeze out the air or excess glue.
  There is no need to add clamps to a cloth or skin backing.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Good plan Pat. I am going to try the damp cloth idea tonite after I get the second limb layed down. I didnt really want skins on this one. Cross your fingers!

[Gottabow]

What kind of Glue are you using?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I used TBIII and an Ace wrap.