Raw hide backing questions

[Fox]

I just made some deer rawhide strips for a bow backing on a elm bow... I nailed them to a board and now they are real dry and flat. I’m about to go sand them super dry... what’s the next step?


-Fox

[bradsmith2010]

make a bow

[Fox]

Hmm ... okay

[Pappy]

Wet them good and glue them on , I like to put flesh side down. I use TB 3 and put on just like I would a snake skin . Pappy

[Pat B]

+1 with Pappy.

[bjrogg]

Like Pappy said. Rehydrate rawhide. Make sure strips are wide enough to cover back of bow. After hide is soft and pliable put epidermis side down on a towel. Put a “sizing layer of glue on both back of bow and flesh side of rawhide. I like to put masking tape on bow where I don’t want glue to stick. Lay rawhide on back of bow. Stroke rawhide from handle area towards tips to get any air or access glue bubbles out. You can then carefully wrap with a ace bandage to get good contact for your glue joint. Be careful wrapping though. Make sure your hide doesn’t move or wrinkle. Let it dry . Remove bandage. Use file to trim rawhide to edge and remove extra glue.

It’s best not to bend your bow for awhile till it dries out good again. Some people wait a few days. Some a few weeks

Bjrogg

[Pat B]

If by chance you find an air or excess glue pocket under the rawhide after you remove the wrap you can make a short cut lengthwise in the pocket and squeeze out the air and/or excess glue. I leave a wrap on rawhide and snake skin backing only for about an hour or 2. In that time the glue hasn't set up completely so you can still do this. Once the glue dries out completely you'll never see these slits.
 Also, strips of old bed sheets, first aid gauze or ace bandages make good wrapping materials.

[bradsmith2010]

I have shot mine after a couple of days, and think the bow is still got too much moisture, if you can wait, I think a week is good,,

[Pat B]

I agree, Brad. Even though the rawhide feels dry moisture has creeped into the wood so it needs time to dissipate completely.

[bradsmith2010]

when I shot them too early,, there was actually a weight loss,, but after a few more days it came back,,

[Fox]

Okidoki, thanks guys. How should I join the two pieces of rawhide at the handle?

[bradsmith2010]

I just wrap with string, but its not that critical,,glued well will pretty much hold it,,i put some bow string wrap

[PatM]

Okidoki, thanks guys. How should I join the two pieces of rawhide at the handle?

 You can just butt them together or do a skived overlap to blend the edges.  I usually sand the tapers about an inch long.

[Pat B]

I use a scarf joint at the handle for a smooth transition. That is enough although I usually make my handle wrap with hemp string wrapped tightly around the handle and set in Massey finish(2ton epoxy thinned with acetone). The rawhide isn't necessary at the tips either but I sometimes wrap that end, about 6" from the tip with decorative thread set in super glue or Massey finish.

[Fox]

Okay ... whats a skived overlap? or a scarf joint?