Sinew Backing

[frankg]

Is there a how to or build-a-long posted here on this site for sinew backing ? Ive searched and havent found anything yet 

[gstoneberg]

Here's one I did early last year.  Not the best sinew job, but functional and the bow is still shooting.   http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,18406

George

[frankg]

Thanx George !! Ill have to start carrying gloves , sharp knife , plastic bags and ear plugs for my nose now ! I see lots of road kills on road to town !

[blackhawk]

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/45973/The-GC-Sinew-Backing-How-To-Staring-Tim-Baker#reply-45973

[frankg]

Thanks !

It looks similar to laying shingles on a roof.

And yet another question ...........how many layers of sinew need put on ?

[gstoneberg]

Depends on the purpose for the sinew.  Normally I do 2 with the second layer maybe a little lighter than the first.  That lets you cover the places the bundles end.  I normally  don't run the second layer past the working portion of the limb.  In a highly stressed (ie. horn) bow you'd want more than 2 layers.

George

[frankg]

Thanks George .

I remembered I have 4 deer legs from 2 years ago in the shed high and dry . I was going to strip them and use leg bones for knife handles. They dried (lower leg)with hide still on . Would that sinew still be good ? Or does the ligiment need removed while fresh and dried like rawhide ?

[gstoneberg]

You'll have to remove the rawhide to see.  I would expect them to rot if you left meat there, and any fat on them would go rancid.  However, if they dried to an amber color they may still work.

George

[frankg]

I got them stripped out and they are a honey color and stiff as a board ! Mice found them and gnawed one pretty bad ! I guess short pieces are usable too ? The hide seperated pretty easy .