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new to bowmaking, question on osage, locust, ash

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richpierce:
Hello, I am new to primitive archery but have good woodworking skills (felling, splitting, working down with drawknife, spokeshaves, scrapers etc).  I am excited to get started.

I have:
A locust pole 6" in diameter and about 7' tall, straight, cut this spring, I think.  I debarked it and painted it and it's not checking.
A hickory stave 6' tall cut last fall, quartered, seasoned over the winter
An ash stave 6' tall cut 2 years ago, quartered
A found osage orange log- seasoned, not much checking visible, 7 feet long, 6" on one end, 4" on the other. Rings like a bell.

I'm going to order the Traditional Bowyer's Bible volumes 1-3- seems to be what folks are recommending.

Which piece of wood should be selected for my first bow?  The hickory, locust, or ash?  Is it crazy to work on more than one at a time?

DanaM:
First get the TBB books and read up, make a tillering tree and get yer tools all set.
I would start with the ash or hickory, as you don't have to chase a ring on these. The wood under the bark is
the back of the bow. Save the osage and locust for a later bow when you have some experience.
Remember to take yer time patience is necessary. If you get stuck ask someone will help you and pictures are appreciated.
Welcome to the community ;D
A subscription to PA is also recommended.

George Tsoukalas:
Hickory is very tough. Hope the bark has been reomoved. You could get the stave to near bow dimensions  but leave the handle full width and the nocks a little wider. I know you have no idea of measurements. I'll refer you to my site. Locust needs to have the sapwood removed. Adds another variable. Ash is very weak in compression. I'm not a fan of it. Jawge

richpierce:
Thanks, guys, will work the hickory first.  I had an ash bow fail on me (only tried to make a bow once before and it snapped).  When I get time I'll quarter the locust and take it down to heartwood and re-seal it.

Hillbilly:
I like white ash myself, dunno why it gets a bad rap. Made several bows from it and never had a chrysal or broken bow from it, sure can't say the same for locust, although I like it too.

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