Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on September 18, 2013, 07:34:14 am

Title: white oak question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 18, 2013, 07:34:14 am
Hey guys, Will white oak with thin growth rings tolerate some ring violations like hickory does? I have several winter cut white oak staves that have very thin rings and I feel that I will probably violate the growth ring directly under the cambium a few times when I take off the bark.
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: blackhawk on September 18, 2013, 07:43:26 am
Its not that hard to be careful and not nick the wood underneath if your good with hand tools...start carefully with a drawknife taking all the rough outer bark off,then scrape the rest of the inner bark off with a scraper..then 220 sandpaper....just be careful of any knots and raised areas....I'd rather take my time and do it right exposing a clean non violated back...that is the base foundation of your bow so do it right
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: adb on September 18, 2013, 10:45:15 am
I agree. It's worth the time and effort to do it right. Yew is the only wood I don't worry about chasing a ring on the back.
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 18, 2013, 04:00:23 pm
I don't trust any wood with ring violations.  Easy with a dknife and use a scraper early on. Jawge
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on September 18, 2013, 04:29:09 pm
Ok thanks guys! I do plan on being as careful as possible. Was just wondering if i accidentally nick through a growth ring, do I have to worry about it. I know that several hickory self bows I have built have had ring violations due to the thin growth rings and they hold up just fine if the bow isn't too extreme.
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: rockrush69 on September 18, 2013, 05:41:00 pm
I would leave the bark on ... make the bow and while tillering alot of the time ... most of the bark pops off .
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: rockrush69 on September 18, 2013, 05:44:13 pm
Also . You can use a draw knife and carefully scrap bark off . Get down to the " under bark layer " and then use a rounded scraper . But dont scrap from tip to tip direction . Scrap side to side . . . This is the method i use on yew and i get zero violation ....
Title: Re: white oak question
Post by: rockrush69 on September 18, 2013, 05:46:58 pm
If there is a violation . Then just back it with sinew , rawhide, or linen . ( real linen from flax is actually very good backing )