typical birch strips dimension

[Renacs]

  What are the typical widths of the birch backing when you place it. Horizontally down the bow? Example 2" or 3". Does it make a difference with the bark s tension values? Or is it just for looks and ease.

[PatM]

The bark is usually placed longitudinally or diagonally.

[Renacs]

 What I'm talking about is the diagonally. How wide are the typically strips? . Is there a typical standard?

[PatM]

Doesn't matter.  Too many variations of bows  to have a standard.

[Renacs]

Ok. Let me rephrase my question. How do you guys typically back your composite bows with bark? Do you map it? Wrap it with spirals?. Some pics would be awesome.     Thanks renacs

[PatM]

 You're trying to narrow it down and that just can't be done. Do it whichever way appeals to you or makes the best usage of your material.
 A always just use one long clear piece for each limb but I happen to have access to the best material.
 Diagonally as is common in Chinese bows looks the best I think.

[mullet]

The Chinese replica horn bow that I got from James P is stripped diagonally.

[Renacs]

Do you have a pic ? How wide are the average diagonal pieces?

[mullet]

I'll see if I can get you a picture up, I'm still hobbling around. If you do a search of James Parker's Chinese Horn Bow, there should be some good pictures. I think it won Bow of the Year, I know it was BOM.

[PatM]

There is a good close up of the bark on this page.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,18969.msg316861.html#msg316861

[mullet]

Thanks, Pat, those are the ones I was thinking of. Too hard for me to deal with a Walker and carry stuff at the same time, right now.

[Renacs]

Awesome. Thanks for the pics.

[james parker]

here is a couple pics horn bows I made  a year or two ago ,, joe
birch bark covered Scythian horn bow,, bark is set at a slight angle
Korean horn bow birch bark covered,, bark is laid  full length ,with lenticels at 90 degrees  from  natural growth 

 the Scythian bow has two layers of single layer bark,first layer ls applied in the opposing direction
the Korean bow has one layer only two to three layers thick
both are glued on with sinew glue, after the glue is dry all voids if any will be filled with bark ,as the glue will suck the bark down into the voids ..
a couple of fresh glue sizings, then dip the bark in the glue apply bark  ..after the glue has set and is fully dry, wipe off glue from bark with a wet/warm wash cloth..