Yew billets belly drop build with sinew backing.

[Muskyman]

I thought about that but didn’t know if you could sand it after trapping it and get a decent finish. I really know nothing about working with sinew. I’m sure you’ll figure it out though. Both are looking great so far.

[superdav95]

I thought about that but didn’t know if you could sand it after trapping it and get a decent finish. I really know nothing about working with sinew. I’m sure you’ll figure it out though. Both are looking great so far.

Thanks mike.  I’ll likley just add a little more sinew over these areas of concern and then rawhide back the whole lot for protection or even snakeskins possibly. 

[superdav95]

So a quick update on these bows.  I decided to just add some deer rawhide from my
buck hide this last season to the entire back of both.  I am confident this should work just fine and set my mind at ease as well.  I apply them with tb3 and then wrap them snug not tight with an old t shirt cut in to 1.5-2” wide strip.  I wrap it up like a mummy and then let it dry overnight.  I apply a pretty liberal amount of glue and pre stretched the rawhide after soaking them in warm water for about 30 mins.  I wash the fleshy side with soap and warm water too then rinse well.  I get them towel dabbed dry but thoroughly  pliable and soft.  Don’t want them too wet but not starting to dry up either.  The wrap works well.  And dose t leave too much of a pattern if kept medium tension when wrapping.  Then I file the edges with a medium file at an slight angle downward from the top edge so as to not rip up my hide edge and glue line.  Here’s some pics. 

[Muskyman]

Your bows always look great. You do seem to have a knack for making them. Both look great.
Great use of that buckskin too.👍

[JW_Halverson]

I have been following and yet keeping my big opinionated mouth firmly shut. I have strong opinions on which will ultimately give the best performance, but that is MY opinion.

But I got to the point where I wanted to thank you for taking on this project and for your commitment to transparency. This is a really valuable experiment and you deserve a round of applause for taking the time and materials to do it!
 

[superdav95]

Your bows always look great. You do seem to have a knack for making them. Both look great.
Great use of that buckskin too.👍

Thanks Mike.  Ya it’s cool to use your own stuff when you can.  It is a slow project due to the drying times of the sinew.  Hopefully soon start bending again and finish tillering to get them as close to 50-55lbs

[superdav95]

I have been following and yet keeping my big opinionated mouth firmly shut. I have strong opinions on which will ultimately give the best performance, but that is MY opinion.

But I got to the point where I wanted to thank you for taking on this project and for your commitment to transparency. This is a really valuable experiment and you deserve a round of applause for taking the time and materials to do it!

Thanks JW. I appreciate that.  Ya I have some suspicions on how it will go too but my hope in the end is to learn something new and test out some things anyway.

Thanks for following along 

[Selfbowman]

Dave I’m clapping. How much total mass did the backing add to the bow. Just curious?

[superdav95]

Dave I’m clapping. How much total mass did the backing add to the bow. Just curious?

The hide backing added about 15-20grams.  The sinew itself was about 65-70grams plus another 10grams or so for the glue and size coatings.

[superdav95]

I shaped up my tips a bit more today and removed the braced back string whilst drying.  Both maintained about 4.5” maybe little less.  I suspect I’ll loose some of this as I continue to tiller them in next few days.  Will definitely have to remove some belly wood these feel really heavy.  They are around 60-61”ntn.  I’m not cutting an arrow shelf in these.  I may glue on a sliver of something later for a minimal shelf with little bit of horn.  I’m thinking I may use some cane strip wrap for handles on these.  Would be a cool look.  I got some of this from pat here.   Thanks for following along

[mmattockx]

I haven't had anything to say, just sitting back and watching a top notch craftsman at work. I agree with Muskyman, your bows always look great. Beautiful aesthetics and superb workmanship.


Mark

[superdav95]

I haven't had anything to say, just sitting back and watching a top notch craftsman at work. I agree with Muskyman, your bows always look great. Beautiful aesthetics and superb workmanship.


Mark

Much appreciated mark!   Thanks for following along.  Hopefully they will bow and not explode. 

[Gordon]

Those are coming along nicely.

[superdav95]

Those are coming along nicely.

Thanks Gordon. 

[Pappy]

Man they are looking very good, I love raw hide backing,especially when using my own from one I killed, don't do it much anymore but love the look and protection it gives, I don't do much competition but it dose take it out of the self bow class so I shy away from it unless I feel it's really necessary .
 Pappy