sinew bowstring question

[luke the drifter]

if not beeswax, is there anything that can be used(other than water)to keep a string limber and not dry out?  by the way, i really enjoy making these strings.  it is quite relaxing, though it does have an aroma.  that may be because i am using elk backstrap sinew. i do not know.  in reference to another topic i posted, i believe i will go ahead and unwind that one string that i made.  will this affect the sinew's re-usability?

[majsnuff]

You raise an interesting point. I have always used water while making the string, then applied beeswax, lard, etc to soften and water proof after the string was finished. Now I will try your concept and pre-treat the sinew. It makes sense, now to figure out what I want to use. HMMM perhaps mink oil? Neatsfoot? Olive oil? Or like you said just stick with beeswax. Well what th heck, there is still enough winter left for me to try all those options.

Thanks for this idea, can't wait to try it out.

[JackCrafty]

If not beeswax, is there anything that can be used (other than water) to keep a string limber and not dry out?


A humidor. 

[dbb]

I never used sinewstrings but jackcrafty might have a good idea.As a cigarsmoker i have a pockethumidor that holds 4-5 long coronatype cigars.
And it contains a built in moisturiser(is that spelled right?)that you just load with water.It will hold a bunch of strings moist and supple.
and if you mix destilled water and propyleneglycol 50/50 it will hold 65-70% humidity (dont know if that is good for strings tho )

/Mikael

[HatchA]

and if you mix destilled water and propyleneglycol 50/50 it will hold 65-70% humidity (dont know if that is good for strings tho )

Sounds like a type of anti-freeze?

[dbb]

Yes it is a antifreeze and is also used as a solvent for cosmetics like lipsticks and creames

/Mikael

[aaron]

I don't have much experience with sinew bowstrings, but my first thought was "why would you want it limber and not dried out?". water causes sinew to stretch, not a quality you want in a bow string. Dry may be stiff, but i don't see a problem with the stiffness. I don't think sinew will weaken if dried out. You may want it damp in order to tie good knots in each end, but once that is done, i think a stiff dry string would work fine. I have one siew bowstring, which i hardly use, but it is dry and stiff as a wire but works fine.
good luck