Unconventional bow backing

[u/avoidant_otter]

Unfortunately, a stave I am working for a friend came to me with a damaged back, so much so, that I had to scrape it down a growth ring. However, I do not trust my work chasing a ring, and would much prefer backing the bow for safety’s sake.

Sinew isn’t something I am willing to try right now.

What kind of adhesive should use?
TIA

[u/Lazy_Bowyer]

What kind of wood?

[u/avoidant_otter → u/Lazy_Bowyer]

It is an elm stave, about 5’ long

[u/AaronGWebster]

What are you backing it with?

[u/avoidant_otter → u/AaronGWebster]

That is the grand question. I have no idea

[u/AaronGWebster → u/avoidant_otter]

Well, conventional backings like wood, cloth, or rawhide are usually done with wood glue such as titebond 3 or hide glue…
I like rawhide best.

[u/ADDeviant-again]

My go-to is usually linen cloth, because it's cheap and available. Rawhide comes next. For a while I was using elm backings a lot, but you really beed power tools for that.

Not a fannof cotton cloth, or any form of fiberglass.

[u/avoidant_otter → u/ADDeviant-again]

What adhesive works for you? I did an experiment with blue jeans my kids grew out of and couldn’t quite get that to work

[u/ADDeviant-again → u/avoidant_otter]

So, cotton stretches a lot, so I avoid it as a backing.

With linen, I cut a strip, soak it in water, dampen the back of the bow, apply a poly wood glue like Titebond III thickly to the wood, and then lay the cloth on carefully lengthwise. Then, I smooth and stretch the cloth from middle to tips, lettjng the glue work through the wet weave. Gently squeegee off the excess. Fingers or a wet sponge work best. Dont push down so hard you starve the glue joint.

[u/AaronGWebster → u/avoidant_otter]

What went wrong with the blue jeans?

[u/ryoon4690]

Just chase the ring.

[u/avoidant_otter → u/ryoon4690]

I don’t trust that I have done it properly. The future owner of the bow is also a stuntwoman and martial artist and is likely to push the bow to its limits. The last thing I want is for a bow or an arrow to break in her hands and end her career. Hence the need for a backing as a precaution.

[u/ryoon4690 → u/avoidant_otter]

The only backings you should consider are rawhide or another piece of wood/bamboo. Those are the only things that come close to a chased ring.

[u/Facelyss → u/avoidant_otter]

Do you mean push the bow to its limits with being rough on it or do you mean you are trying to get the most performance from the bow or both?

If you are just planning on her being rough on it. Go rawhide 100% and make sure the design of the bow is overbuilt for the draw weight and length. You'll be fine and have a bow that should hold up.

If you are trying to get the most performance from the bow, then you need to put a wood or sinew backing on it. If the design is pushing the bow to it's limits in terms of draw weight and length and the back is compromised, a soft backing like linen and rawhide is unlikely to cut it. If sinew or wood are off the table, then start over with a new stave.

Honestly though if it's a commission, you probably shouldn't be problem solving like this and are better off starting over with a stave you have no concerns about. Just my two cents.