Sinew availability in India

[Bhairav]

Hi All,

I am making a long bow. I am looking for cattle sinew to back my bow. Can anyone help me finding sinew supplier in Mumbai?

Also, can polyester threads be used for making bow string?

Thanks,
Bhairav

[Bhairav]

No replies

I have finally used denim to back my bow. Lets c how it works.

Cheers!
Bhairav

[Vikram]

I really not an expert. I had a bow used by tribals.The bow and the string both were made of bamboo. It was very effective for what it was made for. Sorry I could not help with what you wanted.

Could you please share some photos of what you are making?May be some of our experts like Mack The Knife can chip in.

Best-
Vikram

[Bhairav]

Thanks Vikram.

I am making a teak wood bow. I broke my first bow, as I did not back it.

I don't want to let it break, this time. Have backed it with denim (got from my old pair of jeans) as I could not get hold of sinew here in Mumbai.

Currenlty I am tillering it. Hope everyting goes fine this time.

Will post pics once done.

[Vikram]

Bhairav, an afterthought. Why not try at a cattle slaughterhouse?

[Priyan]

As most Indians are against slaughtering of cattle, sinew is hard to find now-a-days. During my childhood, I had a good relationship with a mattress maker from Bihar who lived close to us, he comes to Assam in winter to make mattresses and goes back to his home on summer. I lost contract with him after people started to assault people from Bihar here and he fled to his home. He should return this winter as things have cooled down now, I'll see if I could procure some sinew for you then.

[rajveer]

Bhirav how many KG u want, u r from mumbai ever heard Devoner slaughter house, or in Hindi Devonar katal khana
come down to this place u can get a truck load of sinew.
If u dont want to venture there alone call me I know a bus full of KASAI. Pls dont use denim use sinew very much available in amchi mumbai.
regards.

[Yaj]

Bhairav, the bow did not break because there was no backing .Self bows and longbows can be made totally without any backing. The choice of the right wood,attention to grain lines,proper tillering etc are required.
You will have to procure sinew from the local butcher who sells buffalo shins.There is a y shaped tendon on the posterior aspect which has to be dissected out cleaned, dried and then pounded and combed. You will have to dry it outdoors though because it will stink !
Aternatively you can buy processed sinew from http://www.3riversarchery.com/Bow+Build ... oduct.html
They deliver to India and provide great service.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Bhairav]

Bhairav, an afterthought. Why not try at a cattle slaughterhouse?

In slaughter houses, I would get raw sinew. I live in a society where majority of people are Gujju. Not sure how they would have reacted, if I had tried to dry process the sinew on the terrace

As most Indians are against slaughtering of cattle, sinew is hard to find now-a-days. During my childhood, I had a good relationship with a mattress maker from Bihar who lived close to us, he comes to Assam in winter to make mattresses and goes back to his home on summer. I lost contract with him after people started to assault people from Bihar here and he fled to his home. He should return this winter as things have cooled down now, I'll see if I could procure some sinew for you then.

Thanks Priyan. I would appreciate if you could help me.

Bhirav how many KG u want, u r from mumbai ever heard Devoner slaughter house, or in Hindi Devonar katal khana
come down to this place u can get a truck load of sinew.
If u dont want to venture there alone call me I know a bus full of KASAI. Pls dont use denim use sinew very much available in amchi mumbai.
regards.

I have heard of the place Rajveer. But I was looking for dry processed sinew to save me from the hassels of drying it. I am visiting my native place this diwali. I hope I can arrange something there.
Thanks rajveer.

Bhairav, the bow did not break because there was no backing .Self bows and longbows can be made totally without any backing. The choice of the right wood,attention to grain lines,proper tillering etc are required.
You will have to procure sinew from the local butcher who sells buffalo shins.There is a y shaped tendon on the posterior aspect which has to be dissected out cleaned, dried and then pounded and combed. You will have to dry it outdoors though because it will stink !
Aternatively you can buy processed sinew from http://www.3riversarchery.com/Bow+Build ... oduct.html
They deliver to India and provide great service.
Regards,
Yaj.

You are right Yaj. The bow borke coz it was not a perfect wood board. but you know it is hard to find cheap knot free ani perfect straight grain wood board. I usualy hunt for 1.5x1 wood board.

Thanks for sharing the link. But it's quite costly (Rs 490 (+shipping)for 12" strip of sinew).

[Vikram]

Aha! What you need is a cattle sinew bow string which is ready to go on your bow,but should not cost too much and easily available. Is that correct? From your first post we only thought you needed to find just cattle sinew.

[Bhairav]

Vikram, I needed cattle sinew for backing. I have ordered Dacron B-50 spool for the bow string.

[Yaj]

Processed sinew would be really difficult to find locally . I doubt it is commercially available here unless you get someone to do it for you as a custom order.
Wood from the jackfruit tree or mulberry tree would be a good choice since they are related to the Osage orange which is a much acclaimed wood for bow making.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Bhairav]

Yes, Yaj. hard to find processed sinew here.
Can you provide me some sources where I can find jackfruit wood. The hardware and plywood shops normally stock saal and teak wood.
Bamboo is another option for backing. And is easliy available in timber shops.

Thanks,
Bhairav

[Yaj]

I do not think you will get jack fruit wood in Mumbai.It will have to be sourced from South Canara or Kerala where it is a popular choice for household furniture due to its pleasing grain and yellow hue.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Bhairav]

oh!
no issues. Currently I am trying with teak. next will be bamboo bow backed with bamboo.