To back or not to back

[DiGi]

Everything I've read, from here to the TBBs, says a beginner should not back their bow, but I just read Paul Comstock's Betn Stick and he said a beginner should back their bow. Which is the most "right"?

[Pat B]

I don't use a backing unless it is necessary. For staves I rarely use a backing unless the back has thin rings and/or knots that could jeopardize the bow. With board bows it depends on the grain, on the back but also on the sides. George's website explains how to select a proper board so no backing is needed.

[George Tsoukalas]

Thank you, Pat. but I advise beginners to back their first few for confidence. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[crooketarrow]

   I very seldom back bows either. Unless I'm building it for someone or unless there's no getting around. Then I WOULD'NT HAVE USED THAT STAVE TO BEGAIN WITH. But I'm in total agreement with you. For a beginner backing can really help with any misstakes thats made.

[Grunt]

I usually back board bows with 7 oz linen canvas. The canvas costs about $2 and gives me a surface to paint.

[half eye]

DiGi,
      I think like the other fellas. If you are a new bowyer, or trying a combo your not sure about and simply want some insurance a cloth backing of some type might not be a bad idea. The fabrick backers are a lot easier to apply well (as opposed to a wood backing) and go a long way toward preventing lifting a sliver.
rich

[Matt S.]

I backed the first few bows I made with whatever cloth I had access to. Now that I have a few bows under my belt, I avoid backing.

I usually back board bows with 7 oz linen canvas. The canvas costs about $2 and gives me a surface to paint.

If you don't mind my asking, where do you get that linen canvas?

[Pat B]

Art supply stores.

[DiGi]

I also want I to look good. I'm not very artsy so I would never paint it. Is there anything that looks cool and is easy to put on, because just a big strip of canvas down the back of a bow would look weird, wouldn't it?

[Pat B]

Go to Good Will and buy a silk neck tie or two. They are about $2 each and come in all different patterns.

[1776J]

Art supply stores.

Do you have a local "Dick Blick" or "Pearl" art store anywhere near you?

If not, Pearl is a good place to deal with online.

[sailordad]

find a fabric store
most carry camo cloth fabric
it comes in every camo pattern you have ever seen
i have made many board bows with this backing,never had an issue
plus if yourt like me and hunt out of a ground blind
you can make your bow match your blind too
if you want to pay shipping i could send you a piece
as long as your bow isnt more than 72" long 

[DiGi]

So any cloth fabric would work? If so I have a big fabric store nearby, but thanks for the offer sailordad! All i have to do is use wood glue to put it on? or is there some other specific way I'm supposed to do it?

[Pat B]

Any white or yellow carpenters glue will work just fine.   If you can find linen or silk they are proven backing materials that are relatively thin and very strong. The thicker and more absorbant a cloth is the more glue it will absorbe and the more the backing/glue combo will weigh physically which takes away from your bow's cast.