How to Back a Long Bow to Increase the Draw Weight

Long bows are the simplest type of bow available, consisting of a bow and a string. The bow does not have any sort of recurve tip or set back and many times is backed with nothing. Backing a long bow can increase the draw weight and lessen the likelihood that the bow will break under pressure.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Hardwood veneer
• Wood glue
• Razor blade knife
• Compression bandage
• Polyurethane

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Use the sandpaper to rough up the back of the bow to ensure the wood glue has a good surface to which to bind.
  NOTE: The back is the portion of the bow facing away from you when it is strung and you are shooting it.

• 2

  Spread a thin layer of glue along the back of the bow and do the same to the piece of hardwood veneer. Allow the glue to dry to tacky and then place the veneer glue side down on the back of the long bow.

• 3

  Use the razor blade knife to cut any excess veneer wood away from the edge of the bow. Make sure the profile of the veneer perfectly matches that of the bow itself.

• 4

  Wrap the entire bow in a compression bandage, continually spiraling it from one end to the other. Make sure to wrap very tightly as this will clamp the veneer down and squish any extra glue out from under the strip.

• 5

  Allow the bow to dry for a least 48 hours, and then remove the bandage. Apply four thin coats of polyurethane, allowing eight hours to dry between each coat. String the bow and it will be ready to shoot. The poundage should increase from 10 to 15 pounds depending on the thickness of the veneer.