sinew question

[Spotted Dog]

Ok then. I desire to learn this. How much time does it take ? Or how much time do you men put into
sinew backing?  How do you comb it out and lay it down ?
This makes me feel dumb but a teacher from along time ago said the only dumb question is the one
you don't ask.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would do as I mentioned if its rough and lumpy. Mix up a batch of sawdust and glue then literally use a knife to spread it over the whole limb like toast. Let it cure hard for at least a few weeks. Then shape it smooth with a sanding block and rasps.

I would NEVER intentionally build a sinewed bow this way, but its a good save if your unhappy now.

[Spotted Dog]

Thank you. I worked hard on this stave to get it right . I looked at your build a long. I guess I was trying to
hard. Mixing too many things from too many ideas.  This is a juniper stave.  I never liked grinding down one
of my welds. I should not have worked this bow in this manner.
How do you go about laying down sinew ?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Just like the build along shows. One combed out hank at a time, starting at the grip and working out. Hide glue starts to get tacky if you work it too long, all you have to do is dip it back in the pot and its pliable again.

[Pat B]

When I do a sinewed bow I lay down the first layer, let it dry so I can see the thin area and add more to fill them. The third layer, usually shorter pieces is to even out the back. I don't mind if it is a little lumpy. We are not working fiberglass. After the sinew has cured I add skins over it for decoration and protection from moisture and abuse.
 The guys that do the Asiatic Horn Bows lay the sinew very smoothly, almost like FG. The smoother the sinew is the more efficient it is.

[Spotted Dog]

I am grateful for your help. Next one I will pay closer attention.  Don't work harder , work smarter.
I figured out too late. I didn't squeeze the bundles flat. Only part of my mess up.

[Pappy]

I am sure it will work, may or may not be the prettiest but sinew will usually work pretty or not.
Look forward to seeing how it turns out. My thoughts are the same as Pat's on using TB or hide glue, both will work ,but I don't think you get the full potential of the sinew with TB, JMO, of course it is a bit easier and faster to dry so TB has it pluses I guess.
   Pappy

[Dances with squirrels]

I never found a need to comb it. I separate the sinew and keep it in bundles of 12-14 strands, each bundle separated by the pages of a magazine. If the sinew is reduced in diameter sufficiently prior, when dipped in the hide glue, they soften in seconds. As it is softening, I dip and run the bundle between my fingers a few to several times. This squeegies off excess glue and nicely aligns the bundle in the shape of a flat ribbon before they're layed on the bow. They lay down nice, neat, and flat thataway. I dont see how combing would help any beyond that.

I don't degrease the sinew. Any grease or fatty/waxy feeling stuff seems to be on the outside, on the outer sheath which is discarded. Once it's removed, and the sinew is pounded, reduced, and separated into bundles, I simply keep it clean and dry until it's time to dip into the hide glue.

I do rough up and degrease the bow's back... and of course size it with glue prior to laying down sinew.

I LOVE the smell of hide glue.

[bubby]

I dip the sinew in warm water lay it out on a clean surface and comb it with a mteal dog comb then dip in the glue and squeeze the excess glue out, it comes out pretty smooth, i wear nitrile gloves while i do it too

[Spotted Dog]

are you all using leg or back sinew ?

[lebhuntfish]

I personally only use leg sinew for backing my bows. I tried back sinew once and for personal preference I'd rather use leg. Patrick

[Spotted Dog]

I can't seem to get the leg sinew to go flat or comb out . Just a stinking mess.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I agree. I wont touch it myself. Back or bust.

[PatM]

You could do a search for smooth sinew tips on here.

[Pat B]

I also prefer back sinew unless I can get cow leg sinew. So far its the best I've used and makes the neatest application.