From Raw to Backing Material??

[Knotty]

Hello once again everybody!

Since I have a full cow's hide thrown in a corner , abandoned,
I was wondering if there's any way of transforming the raw material into useable backing strips,
What's the process involved?

Could anybody give me links to any tutorials?
I've looked online but haven't been able to find much.
The hide's already dry, it's been at my grandparent's house for over 10 years ,
And I've been using pieces of it to make myself quivers and leather accessories,
It still has hair on the other side.

http://prntscr.com/bjlryk

I probably have enough to back 4-5 bows.

Thanks everyone!

[PatM]

Try "How to make rawhide" on google.

[Pat B]

Generally cow rawhide is too thick for bow backing. You can thin it by sanding it.
 I would soak it in water until it is pliable then stretch it until it dries. Then you can cut strips that will have to be thinned.
 You can leave the hide in the water until the hair slips or you can dry scrape it to remove the hair.

[Knotty]

Alright thanks guys!

[bradsmith2010]

the skin by the belly is thinest ,, but sanding it thinner will work for sure,,

[Knotty]

Ok thanks Brad

[Pat B]

Also remember that leather and rawhide stretches across the hide but not as much lengthwise so you want your backing strips to be cut lengthwise along the hide and not across it.

[BowEd]

Pat's right.The best place to take rawhide for bow backs from a deer or any other animal really is lengthwise right along the spine.It'll be even thickness for ya and stretch the least.When brain tanning that part of the hide can be the tightest to get stretched and soft.The belly is the stretchiest.

[Knotty]

Thank you for the advices guys, it'll be of much help!