On a lot of English longbows I see, I see that people have these fancy-looking handles with different coloured lace or something wrapped around them. Does anybody know what that is?

I'm posting a picture from Horseapple's web page to show you what I'm talking about.

AS shiny as it is i'd guess that it's some kind of foil covered fabric perhaps! Try some place like the Hobby Lobby or the like and I bet you'll find it!

According to this web page it's "leather decorated with gold leaf." I wonder if they have that at hobby lobby.

It's not all shiny. Here's a couple of others, one that's black.

Check out this one!

Those first one looks like the leather thong is bordered with whatever that embelishing material is, and then it is wrapped to the handle as one piece. The second looks like the handle is coved in black kip or goatskin and then wrapped with a narrow strip of soft suede. That third one definitely has decorative cord wrapped around the handle material.

Are those yew bows with the sapwood still on, or are they backed with something?

I don't think they're yew with sap wood because they look like they have purple heart cores.

Well, I went to Walmart earlier today, and there, between the hobby section and the fabric section were different kinds of ribbon, and I got this "metallic middy braid" ribbon. What do y'all think?

looks real good

You could have just asked JD what he uses. He builds a lot of bows but keeps very little of the process a secret. I am sure he would be glad to help a fellow bowyer.

shweet handle, is that the new one from your website?

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