Hey everyone. Managed to chase a ring on my first black locust stave, found it similar to osage in a way just softer and with a less defined early wood ring. There are a handful of pin knots with one cluster around 12 inches from one limb tip, I've left all of them raised with the remnants of an upper ring on top for insurance. The stave is around 80" in length with a usable chased area of 75", the last 5" having had a chunk of wood split off and dive into lower growth rings. The stave is slightly crowned which I've read is a positive for black locust.
I was wanting to get some advice and share the build. I was wanting to use an eastern woodlands design with similar dimensions to a Powhatan bow from 1665. The one featured in "The Encyclopedia of Native American Bows Arrows and Quivers" volume 1 page 14. I was wanting to query whether the dimensions of this bow would hold up if made to 60lbs @ 28".
I was planning to stretch the bow out to 72" long but am not sure if its necessary. I was also planning on making the belly perfectly flat and heat treating it over a coal pit. I don't have any experience with black locust and only have 3 staves of it so far, really want to put my best foot forward and ask the experts so as to not ruin this beautiful stave.
Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers guys
