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Author Topic: Finish for a sinewed bow  (Read 1286 times)

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Black Moshannon

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Finish for a sinewed bow
« on: November 22, 2020, 04:34:40 pm »
My buddy just finished up his first bow, a sinewed Osage. Any recommendations for a finish on sinew? Were thinking tung oil. I was also thinking shellac might work over the sinew
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2020, 05:30:54 pm »
I've used Tru-Oil on all the sinewed bows I've built. I've always considered tung oil as a penetrating oil but I've never tried it over sinew.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PaSteve

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2020, 05:35:33 pm »
 Agree with Pat. I've only made a few sinew backed bows and Tru-Oil has worked well for me.
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"It seems so much more obvious with bows than with other matters, that we are the guardians of the prize we seek." Dean Torges

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2020, 08:20:15 pm »
spray poly, works ok,, sometimes I paint mine and then spray poly on that, acrylic works good,,I have used clear heavy gel medium,,  and then spray poly over that,, a penetrating oil,I dont use,, but dont have experience with that,,
I have sprayed poly, then painted with acrylic, and then sprayed again,,
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Black Moshannon

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2020, 09:16:34 pm »
Ok thanks for the recommendations. Believe I’m going to start using Tru oil on my all wood bows as well.
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bownarra

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2020, 12:36:00 am »
Don't, stick with Tung Oil. Tru oil is a pretty weak finish with not great water resistance. Tung oil is superior in every respect. A few coats of shellac would also be a better, more water resistant finish than tru oil....
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Offline simson

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2020, 07:06:14 am »
my choice would be shellac for the first 3 layers, then you could change if you like ...
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Simon
Bavaria, Germany

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Finish for a sinewed bow
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2020, 07:30:10 am »
Epoxy acetone, far superior than any other sealer.

Jay Massey mentioned in his book that he made a sinew backed hickory bow that was his primary hunting bow in Alaska. He lost it in a river during a float trip, found it a month later an it was still intact and shootable, sinew and all. His finish was epoxy acetone which became known as the Massey finish. I had never heard of this finish mentioned anywhere before I read his book.
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