baleen

[newhouse114]

Has anyone here used baleen as back and belly lams before? I know that HH used to use it. I always called it "natures fiberglass".

[beachbowhunter]

No but it sounds cool as heck.

[Robertfishes]

I know a guy who used it 20 years ago. I really cant remember if it was also used on belly. He said he was buying it from a supplier in Alaska. I remember he could not sell the bows he made with baleen. He gave several bows to kids. I think only certain Native Alaskans could sell it?

[Nezwin]

In the Bowyers Bible there's huge chapters written about it. It sounds like it's a great material, but not very sustainable in present conditions.

[LittleBen]

I think there may be legal issues with the sale of certain whale parts.
I saw a very nice vintage bow for sale on **** and the seller was clearly being careful not to say that it was whale baleen in the limb, but if you read between the lines you could tell.

[newhouse114]

I've made my living dealing in marine mammal parts as an artist/sculptor for 35 years now. I have a quantity of pre 1972 baleen that I can't really do anything with so I thought I would give it s try.

[takefive]

The Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1 does have a few paragraphs on baleen.  They considered it an "extinct" bow backing 'cuz let's face it, most people don't have access to it.  Just guessing that the last time it was commonly used on bows was 70-80 years ago?
But they also wrote that master bowyer John Strunk had made bows with it, using it as a backer but also on the belly of another bow.  Good luck and be sure to post pictures if you make one with baleen.  I'd be interested just to see what the stuff looks like.