Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Whiskeyjet on February 24, 2017, 11:27:22 am

Title: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Whiskeyjet on February 24, 2017, 11:27:22 am
Here is an Osage board for sale at a woodcraft store. Fully 1x4x72.5.  It is very straight, I would try to resaw it into 4-6 blanks.  Any bows would of course be backed, either bamboo or hickory I'm thinking.  Should the pin knots or the grain dissuade me from buying this or should I just go for it since it's just lumber anyway?

On the wide shots, it's the piece in front of the bubinga.  I darkened the exposure to make the grain and knots more visible.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 24, 2017, 11:30:04 am
For what purpose? Knots and board bows don't mix well generally. Jawge
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: gfugal on February 24, 2017, 11:33:49 am
I say go for it. If it doesn't work, at least you learned from it. I figure the pins in stuff could work if you're backing it with another good piece of wood. maybe if its right on the side it could be a big problem, but I'm no expert when it comes to knots, pins or wood backing so take what I say with a grain of salt. Plus I've never worked with osage.

If you got it are you saying you would cut it into 4 or maybe even 6 billets? that seems like an awful lot to me. I would just do two so I had plenty of material, maybe 3 max.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Pat B on February 24, 2017, 11:35:11 am
I'd look for a better piece. Too many knots and too much grain swirl.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 24, 2017, 11:38:07 am
Depends on who you ask. I wouldn't use it and I won't use swirly grained boards........still.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: mikekeswick on February 24, 2017, 02:15:08 pm
Pass on that board. Swirls and knots ain't good on lam bows, these flaws will always fail eventually. Always look for only the very best boards for lam bows.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on February 24, 2017, 02:45:04 pm
It looked like it wood make for some pretty riser wood with he swirls and knots, if nothin else. Maybe even some handles, buttons, and other whats-it's.

Kyle
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Onebowonder on February 24, 2017, 05:37:49 pm
I would not likely use it for bows - due to the aforementioned knots, swirls and grain run-outs - but I'd certainly need to see the end of the stock to make a choice.  If it is well cut Quartersawn wood, (which it does not appear to be), then it might be useful as a board for an edge grain bow.  However - like kyle said, it would be useful for lots of other stuff!  I have used a lot of sketchy Osage to make camp spoons, canoe paddles, hand drum rings, and one pitiful attempt at a wooden flute.  I have a buddy that turns pens and such out of some of my off-cuts.  He tells me that the Osage I've given him makes wonderful turning wood. 

OneBow
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: LittleBen on February 24, 2017, 09:23:24 pm
Definately buy that ... as long as you have another use for it.

Make a nice broadhead box, some chisel handles, new scales for your 1911 .45acp, a seat for a new shop stool, or any other cool non-bow use.

Too swirly, and knotty to be worth wasting a nice backing on.

I've heard argentine Osage is good material and as I understand it you can buy boards online and it tends to be better grained than American Osage.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Selfbowman on February 24, 2017, 11:27:20 pm
Sounds not hopeful! Arvin
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: TimothyR on February 24, 2017, 11:51:40 pm
Only way it might work is if you put it under the dreaded fg.
Title: Re: Should I buy this Osage board?
Post by: Whiskeyjet on February 25, 2017, 04:23:45 pm
Thanks for the advice one and all I did NOT buy it :D