rawhide backing question

[jimmy]

Forgive me if this is a repetitive question.  Can rawhide backing be ran all the way to the tips with the tip overlays glued over the rawhide, or is it better to just run the rawhide to the tip overlay?  Also, how rough does the surface on the back need to be before glueing on the rawhide?  Thanks for any help.  I am backing a bow for the first time and I don't want to screw up.

[Pat B]

Jimmy, you can do it either way but most add the rawhide up to the tips. I prefer to leave the rawhide a few inches short of the tip and add a wrap to secure it. The surface doesn't have to be rough. Sanding with fine sandpaper will give you a "new" wood surface for the glue to adhere to.