Osage orange design?

[Muskyman]

WB. I just peeled the bark and sapwood off of a piece I had that was about 3 years old a few weeks ago. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can get the bark and sapwood off with a sharp drawknife.
Good luck and enjoy. One you get down to orange wood you’ll probably see exactly what you need to do.

[WhistlingBadger]

So, I've skinned three of the four quarters, and they all have some big checks coming in from either end.  Don't know if I'm going to be able to get a flatbow out of these staves.  What about an ELB?  Does that design work with osage?  Might be the best I can do.

[TimBo]

How far in do the checks go?  Keep in mind that the tips will be pretty thin, so the checks may be gone before you get to the wider part of the limb.  Are you still at 84"?

[sleek]

So, I've skinned three of the four quarters, and they all have some big checks coming in from either end.  Don't know if I'm going to be able to get a flatbow out of these staves.  What about an ELB?  Does that design work with osage?  Might be the best I can do.

Paint the entire back with a thinned out glue or paint, as well as the ends, and dont store it someplace hot. That will get your checks under control.

[bentstick54]

Show us some photos of the backs with sapwood removed.

[Hamish]

So, I've skinned three of the four quarters, and they all have some big checks coming in from either end.  Don't know if I'm going to be able to get a flatbow out of these staves.  What about an ELB?  Does that design work with osage?  Might be the best I can do.

Osage makes an awesome narrow ELB.