Balers twine for backing a bow

[Steve Milbocker]

I was feeding my horses tonight and got an idea. Has anyone ever tried backing a bow with twine? It shreds very easily and the fibers are quite strong.

[half eye]

Steve,
     I made a Modoc inspired bow for a friend and used twine for the backer. I used it in long lengths, didn't tear it apart, after a couple of years it's still shooting just fine. Glued the twine on with TB II , turned out looking a lot like tree bark.
     Here's a couple of pics

[Steve Milbocker]

Thanks for the pics. That bow turned out very nice .

[Pat B]

When you're talking bailing twine are you talking about the older hemp or sisal twines or the newer plastic twines?

[Steve Milbocker]

When you're talking bailing twine are you talking about the older hemp or sisal twines or the newer plastic twines?

I would guess probably sisal Pat, it comes from Tractor Supply. When you unravel it the fibers are actually fairly straight.

[Steve Milbocker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisal

Sounds like it might work pretty well from this description.

[Pat B]

The natural fiber bailing twine should work fine. The reddish plastic bailing twine is sensative to sunlight...plus it is plastic. 

[Steve Milbocker]

Our New Holland doesn't like the plastic stuff either

[sweeney3]

Try net wrap... 

[wodpow]

Should look really back to nature.   I would soak it to get it limber and softer TB2 should work but hide glue would work also.

[DuBois]

hey there, I had this idea and have been preping for backing a maple bow with this Sisal fiber. How did yours turn out? Was it a good idea?
I guess I will treat it like sinew (which I have little experience with).