sinew - advice please

[fujimo]

going to sinew my first bow, and as we live in a very wet climate up here- (hunting season coincides with the rain season), i was thinking of putting the sinew on with TB III.
would really like to have used hide glue though!!

so will the sinew and glue contract, and induce reflex like the hide glue does, or should i just add in a little reflex.
thanks

[Pat B]

I'd say use hide glue. TBIII is compatable with the sinew but they dry at different rates and you will have to induce reflex while the sinew cures and,IMO, you won't get the same performance with TBIII as you will with hide glue.
 Add snake or fish skins over the sinew to help repel moisture and seal it well with a good sealer and it should preform well for you. I've used Tru-Oil with good results. Keep the bow stored in a drier environment when not in use.
  Jay Massey hunted Alaska with sinew backed bows and even dumped one in a river and found it two days later, still unscathed by the dunk and time in that wet environment.
 Also use a bow wood that is less susceptable to moisture like osage or yew.

[fujimo]

ThanksPat
It. Will be on osage
And I will heed your advice and go with the hide glue. And some skins.
Thanks

[Wyostikbo]

I would second everything Pat said, hide glue is definitely a better way to go. I live in WY so it's pretty dry, but I still put snake skins and tru-oil on mine. I put my bow on a form of sorts. I use a 2x6 about 5 ft. Long and screw two pieces of 2x6 10" long on the ends to hold the bow tips, then I tie a piece of string around the handle and pull the handle down so that you start with about a 1/2" of reflex. The hide glue and sinew will add another inch or so after it cures. Have plenty of sinew ready to use when you start, you won't have time to get more ready in the middle of the project.

[talkingcabbage]

Don't mean to steal the thread, but about how much sinew do you use on a bow?  I've been collecting deer sinew for the last couple years and have enough strips (the Achilles tendons) to fill a peanut butter jar.  Is that enough, or do I need more?

[LittleBen]

Small peanut butter jar ... Yeah probably. Giant family size ... Enough for several bows no doubt.

[okie64]

I just recently did my first sinew job and I used tb3. It dried hard as a rock in about 2 days and only gained about 1/2" of reflex. I will use hide glue next time.