Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bryce on October 25, 2012, 04:07:51 am
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Well it's been awhile sense I've had to ask for some help :D
Here's a piece of cascara I'm not sure how to handle. I've taken the sapwood down to about 2 rings.
And this knot lies right in the middle of where she need to start fading in.
I always avoid such knots, but this ones got me licked.
What are my options gentlemen?
The stave is 65" long needs to draw 27"
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh544/bryceott/102D0427-B77E-4114-82D5-81B785C1530B-14504-00000EEB3C7EA27E.jpg)
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That's a pretty nasty knot. There's clearly not enough wood on either the left hand side or the right hand side to completely remove the knot. Sometimes you can pass on one side of the knot, but not this time. That means the knot will still be in the finished bow. Not a problem in itself.
I'd leave the bow pretty much the width you've sketched onto the back. You could maybe narrow the limb 1/4" at the knot. About one inch past the knot, you can start tapering the tip to a normale tip width. Tiller the knot so it's stiff. You can rasp the knot itself down a little, I think. It's now a big bulge on the back of the bow, which can become a little bulge. It takes little extra thickness to leave the knot stiff. I'd personally largely ignore the knot on the belly side. I'd compensate by extra thickness on the back (and possible extra width on the sides), but not extra thickness on the belly.
Leaving the knot big at first, might be handy. Floor tiller the rest of the limbs, so you can see what dimensions the rest of the limb should become, more or less. Then reduce the knot to get close to the final dimensions.
By the way, the wood species hardly matters when it comes to treating knots.
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What DarkSoul said about covers it,leave the area stiff, thin the knot as much as possible with out letting it bend, you won't achieve the prefect symmetrical tiller as is most time the case with a stave with character.Should work. :)
Pappy
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Atleast the knot looks in good condition and isn't rotten. :)
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Yeah this stave was somewhat of a gift lol
How you see it is how I got it lol
I'll do as you say and tread around it carefully.
I just didn't want someone to ask what kind if wood it was that's all lol
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Bryce, I've built several cascara bows over the years, but never had to deal with a knot like that! As you probably already know, cascara is a little more difficult to work around imperfections than say, vine maple, but I think what Dark Soul and Pappy said will give you the best chance of building a workable bow. Whatever happens please keep us posted on the results. Dale
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Cascara does seem to be a weee bit touchy around the knots.
I will let you know how it's turns out.
Yeah them boys sure are some smart fellas!
Idk about you but when it comes to cascara I'm diggin the heartwood ;)
-Pinecone
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Look proper?
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh544/bryceott/1308E42F-D04F-4840-BAF9-856A8A2549E5-15431-00000FBD0E1099B5.jpg)
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Looks good, then when you are done, you can do some pyrography into that knot like a bear and tree scene, or stag in the woods type of thing. It would be good. Put some artwork into that knot and make that bow really stand out.
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Looks like you have done a good job around the knot,that will be sweet if it works out and looks like you are giving it the best chance.Good luck and looking forward to seeing her shoot. :)
Pappy