How to back a bow with Linen

If you have ever heard the sound of wood cracking before, as a bowyer, it is a sound that I dread to hear. I was lucky with this bow and able to save it by adding the linen backing and would recommend it as a natural backing material. It is not as good as sinew but it is a LOT cheaper and easier to get a hold of. Just make sure it is 100% linen and you will be good to go. I didn't add any backset in this video but it is something I will do on future linen backing applications.

[@alancase1745]

Loved the ending! That was perfect.

[@BowtellBows]

Thanks! My kids can get pretty enthusiastic at times.

[@AelfricsAdventures]

does the linen backing add additional draw weight to the bow? I have a bow that recently developed a similar small crack, but I want to make sure fixing it won't also make it too heavy for me to shoot.

[@danielbuhler2067]

I didn’t actually find that it added anything to the draw weight but I didn’t reflex the bow before putting the linen on. I think if you reflex the bow before applying the linen, it would add a little bit of weight but I think only a pound or so.

[@strattonlad2137]

Thin CA will run down into the crack is mentioned as a good idea in Traditional Bow Making series. Careful, it runs like crazy, use a tiny amount, sad when dry

[@BowtellBows]

That’s a great idea. I will give that a try next time.

[@DanSantanaBows]

Looks like it’s still a good shooter, nice save! I wonder if you can save more weight with a backing like this compared to cloth since you don’t have half the cloth fibers going in the wrong direction

[@BowtellBows]

I have wondered about that. It almost seems like linen is the easier but less effective sinew alternative. I will try to add some reflex the next bow I add linen to and see if pretensioning it helps improve speed.

[@Daylon91]

I've got a question. I've heard a yes and no. Ive already backed a bow with linen cloth not strips and was wondering if I could back it with sinew to increase draw weight

[@DreamcraftBows]

Great work! Keep it up!

[@BowtellBows]

Thank you very much!

[@grimreapybones2875]

The bow i built also made a tiny crackling and my hart sank, hopefully this will save it

[@BowtellBows]

Best of luck! This bow did last a bit longer but it did eventually break unfortunately.

[@cynthiastandley5742]

Where did you get the chart behind your tillering tree?

[@BowtellBows]

It’s a fabric pattern folding board and I got mine from Joan’s but also found it on Amazon.

[@cynthiastandley5742]

@@BowtellBows Thank you. Clever idea

[@dylanscott539]

Is that linen string waxed?

[@BowtellBows]

It is not waxed, which I have found is the best for way for the linen to absorb the adhesive. When I use this same material for strings, I add beeswax where needed.

[@r.s.7510]

Does that add any poundage to the bow ?

[@BowtellBows]

I did not see any increase in weight. It might if you add it with some reflex in it but I didn’t do that.