Sinew Backed Bows

[spacemonkey]

Its been a while since i posted on here, but thought you guys might be the ones to ask this question.

Im working on two different projects that im thinking about sinew backing them. One is a hickory bow that is showing some string follow, so im thinking about sinew backing it to draw it back to its original reflex.

The other is a short osage crossbow. Im starting to wonder if the osage is going to hold up to the 125 lb draw weight for texas hunting. Im thinking adding a sinew back to it would help reinforce it for a stronger draw weight.

If have never done any sinewing before. Been reading about it in the bowyers bible and a couple of other american indian archery books If anyone has any experience with it, i would love to pick your brain.

Im curious about glues in specific. I know traditional hide glue is the preferred method, but has the drawback that it is susceptible to wet conditions. I have read in books that titebonds liquid hide glue is worthless for sinew backing and that Titebond 3 is also not good...But have read online in a couple of places that others use it and says it works fine. Anyone have any experience with any of these?

Also, anyone have any good online resources for obtaining sinew at a good price?

[Tedak]

I am no expert but I have read that the sinew works best with hide glue and I think you could put a weather proof finish over it.

[rubydog]

I have used rabbitt hide glue and siinew with great sucess in the past. To help maintain a water resistant finish I generally covered the back of the bow with sturgeon skin. Don't ask me where to get the skin anymore as I haven't scraped a bow out in 15 years or so. I have also backed them with whale baleen and that actually works better but is no longer available. This reminds me that I still have some from 20 odd years ago that I need to find...

[spacemonkey]

yeah, i knew the hide glue works the best and is likely what ill use. I was just intrigued by the idea that titebond 3 is waterproof. My favorite hunting conditions tend to be wet rainy days. Something about those cold wet mornings that I just really love. Want to make my bows usable in those conditions.

Where is the best place to buy hide glue and sinew? Come this fall ill hit up a local deer processor and see if i can obtain any sinew. But for now id like to buy some. I saw hide glue and sinew for sale at 3 rivers archery, but their prices on sinew seemed kind of high for the amounts i would need for the projects i have going right now.

rudydog, i wouldnt have the slightest clue where to get sturgeon skins. I do know that snake skins are easy to obtain around here though. Maybe i will go that route.