ThomasJ2352 wrote: .think I may try rawhide for the backing after recommendations from other builders….

There was some research done in the ’30’s that showed backing a bow with rawhide reduced it’s ability to cast an arrow by 4 or 5 fps. It will help protect the bow, but that’s about it.

If you back the bow with silk, or sinew, you can protect the bow, and add speed.