Main Discussion Area > English Warbow

osage newbie

(1/2) > >>

meanewood:
Ive got a locally grown (Australia) stave of Osage ready to go and need some advise never having used it before.

First, it has about 4-5 inches of even reflex which developed while splitting and seasoning. The log was pretty straight when felled.
Is this to much to begin the tillering or should I straighten it a bit with heat first?

Second, I'm tempted to leave the bark on due to the fact its pristine and would look great!
I left the bark on a hawthorn bow recently and just love the look.
Has anyone tried that with Osage before?

osage outlaw:
If you leave the bark on it might pop off when you start bending it.

Badger:
  I don't think leaving the bark on is a good option. It will affect your tillering somewhat. We also normally bring osage down to a heartwood ring for the back of the bow. 

meanewood:
I'm not worried if it pops off. If it does, I'll just clean it up and go with a sapwood ring.

This stave is not thick enough to remove all the sapwood due to heavy checking along the pith line.
By the time I got through it, the thickness in the center is 26mm and that includes about 2mm of bark!

Pat B:
I think there is a possibility that if the bark pops off it could cause other problems. For one thing the weight will be reduced and there is a chance a splinter could lift around a knot or pin. IMO, it is best to get to a good clean back ring before you start tillering. You never know what you might find below the bark.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page