Rawhide question

[arkdoc]

I am currently trying to make a bow for my brother from a red oak board.  I backed the board with rawhide, but I have a question about it.  I have seen pictures of other people backing bows and the rawhide was white.  My rawhide was more brown tint to clear.  Is there a difference?  Also, I was considering staining the bow when I was finished, but with this type of rawhide, do you think it will be able to take a stain?  Any other decoration ideas? Thanks guys. 

On a side note I recently finished my first successful self bow and I need to post pictures of it sometime to share my first success.  I have only been on this board for a short time, but I have really learned from and enjoyed my time here already. 

[mullet]

I would rather use transparent rawhide then thicker, white rawhide, just my preference. You can stain it with leather dye when you finish it.

[4dog]

the thicker rawhide just adds weight...thin rawhide is best.

[mullet]

When you go to stain it, lightly sand it with a fine grit paper to get any glue off. The stain will not soak in if you don't get it off.

[arkdoc]

Thanks guys.  I enjoy all the info I can get and will take yall's advice.

[aurox]

i don't know if it matters for bows i have never backed on with rawhide. but i have used rawhide extensively for over ten years. when rawhide turns white it generally is because of age. seems to coincide with the glue and mucouses and such breaking down.

[mullet]

The rawhide I have used that turned white from the same hide was thicker.

[Swatch]

I like to use the thinner rawhide and I have had good luck soaking the rawhide in coffee. I used some instant coffee and made it quite strong and soaked the rawhide in it and then put it on the bow. When it dried it was a very deep dark brown. I liked it a lot!