What polish or preservitave should I use to finish a home made bow?

Question

I have heard that animal fat was what the native americans (A.K.A.) indians used but this is only hear say. Other suggestions have ben polythene, linseed oil some others. Please knowledgable answers only.

Answer 1

Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane

Answer 2

Hemitite,we go to lots of Native American Pow-Wows,my husband makes native chockers and jerkey,if you get the chance go to one.

                                                   Debbie O

Native People are very good people.

Answer 3

Linseed would be my choice.

Answer 4

Here is a short list of bow finishes from the Traditional Bowyer's Bible(s):

"Penetrating Finishes"

--Animal fat (that "ancient method" so often romanticized in "adventure novels"). Do not use on sinew backed bows.

--a combination of Tung oil, linseed oil, cedar oil, French polish (mixture of linseed oil and shellac) - or any one of them. French polish often takes years of applications to get the wood waterproof.

--a mixture of spar varnish, mineral spirits and linseed oil. As with the majority of such "penetrating finishes", it takes multiple applications to get a durable, waterproof finish.

"Surface Finishes"

--Spar varnish (by itself it is of this category)

--varathane

--polyurethane

After the waterproofing finish is applied -- and dry -- a wax, such as paste wax or beeswax can be used to polish & protect the bow. many bowyers also use a stain after final sanding/steel wool and before they apply the finish, to help bring out the wood grain (or to help make one type of wood look like another).

This is my own opinion, mostly:

The main problem with using linseed, or other oils, is that too much makes the bow "soft" -- often resulting in string follow. Too much varnish (or polyurethane/urethane, etc), on the other hand, can result in cracks in the bow's finish. You have to decide which to use based on the conditions under which the bow will be used/stored, as well as how much actual time you wish to spend on applying (and caring for) the finish.