Softening Cow Raw hide

[Phillip K]

How would I go about doing that? Just wanted to Know the way you all would do it Thanks for your Input.PK

[kayakfisher]

I pretty well use rawhide to back my bows and the way I do it is to cut the rawhide in a strip a little wider than my bow with a good pair of sharp scissors , then I run enough warm water in the bathtup about a inch or so then throw both strips in the water and let them soak untill there soft . Then when my wife isnt looking I take one of her good bath towels and run the rawhide through it to wipe off the water ,rawhide is still damp and pliable. Put titebond glue on back of bow then place rawhide on glue and wrap the entire length of limb and let set.When rawhide and glue is both dry you can cut excess rawhide off the edges of the limb with drawknife I hope this helps you
                                                                              Dennis

[huntertrapper]

soaking it sometimes helps or ive tried and read using ashes mixed in with water...

[JackCrafty]

You can buy a home tanning kit and follow the directions for turning the rawhide into soft leather....or you can soak the rawhide as already mentioned.  It will get stiff again when it dries, of course.

If you want a good workout, you can braintan the hide.  Just google "braintan".

[Phillip K]

I think I'll Just experiment with the stuff Instead of Buying A tanning kit or Findinding Brains, I think My own work Pretty well for fig urin stuff out.

[Ryano]

Phillip, cow raw hide is pretty thick for bow backings. It will work but it needs to be thined, the best way I've found to do it is on a belt sander....Deer or goat raw hide works much better for bow backings.

[kayakfisher]

hey ifn you just want to tan and soften it there was a great do along ,on one of these forums called egg tan along he tanned hides using eggs.
                                                    Dennis

[Phillip K]

Ryano I got some deerskin for backing from A fellow on paleo,the Cow Im gonna make a quiver cause it's got lots of thin spots. Now I gotta soak it again and dry it and Restle it. I'll show ya when I'm done. you all have gotten me some good trades and deals saved me some money to.

[Phillip K]

Lets say I just had to much Time on My hands.Like the Ryan said and Who else.I only post On this forum Cause of respect for all yer effort and the tips you all share with others. Ahha!.