Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bjrogg on January 31, 2018, 09:35:32 am

Title: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on January 31, 2018, 09:35:32 am
I just hate to waste anything. I also don't have a lot of Osage around me that I'm aware of. I got a log given to me about 1 1/2 years ago. I split four staves off.

This stave has already had a slide split that I made a bend through handle with static tips. I love it plus it has a lot of character. Last night I got the other side split out and thought I think I can at least get a kids bow out of a belly split.  I use three screw drivers and a hammer and split off a small sliver I think I can make something from. It also pulled the small limb right out of knot.
 
If I don't screw up I think I can get three bows out of this crooked stave.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on January 31, 2018, 09:37:36 am
PS the side split is the bow next to it.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Del the cat on January 31, 2018, 09:57:15 am
Cool... frugal is the way to go  :)
Del
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Pat B on January 31, 2018, 10:05:48 am
I can see a hunting weight bow in that top split.   You're not being frugal, you're just not being wasteful.  :OK
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: HorseApples on January 31, 2018, 10:46:17 am
I am interested to see how you deal with the knot/branch coming out of that belly split.

I have a belly split with an almost identical knot/branch. (I figured it was waste, but I started chasing a ring on it - I am frugal too -  just to see if I could get a kid's bow out of it. ) 
I think I can get a bow out of it, but just don't know what to do with a branch / knot like that. I know how to chase a ring around a knot hole but what do you do when the knot is not a hole, but more of a branch?

Note - it was really satisfying to peel the belly split off and see he branch come through the knot hole on the top stave nice and clean.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Hawkdancer on January 31, 2018, 11:53:23 am
This is going to be real interesting to watch!  Even with my lack of experience, I see a very challenging project on the piece with the branch.  Good luck!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on January 31, 2018, 12:08:50 pm
Thought I had a plan but must have been to close to the heart. When I tried to chase ring I realized the belly split had back on one side of stave on one end and other side of stave on other end. If I get anything out of it it won't be your normal selfbow.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: TimBo on January 31, 2018, 01:18:34 pm
That reminds me of Simson's Mom and Dad bows...
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: sieddy on January 31, 2018, 02:00:31 pm
Good for you man. I was thinking to myself 'that must have been really rewarding pulling that branch out of the larger peice!' Then I read your later comment!  8)
Looking forward to seeing what you get out of those sticks!  :D
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: simson on January 31, 2018, 02:20:35 pm
Some nice splits!
Mom seems to be ok, Dad looks a bit meager. But at least for a light enough of wood.
I like those short bendies
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: upstatenybowyer on January 31, 2018, 08:22:33 pm
Way to go BJ! I know you'll do all that wood justice.  :OK
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: sleek on January 31, 2018, 09:57:45 pm
Thought I had a plan but must have been to close to the heart. When I tried to chase ring I realized the belly split had back on one side of stave on one end and other side of stave on other end. If I get anything out of it it won't be your normal selfbow.
Bjrogg

Trying to figure out what ypu mean here...

But if a ring cant be chased on the back, chase one on the belly, then flip it and make the belly the back.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: chamookman on February 01, 2018, 01:44:55 am
Good job BJ - always good to utilize all the Yellow wood You can  :OK Bob
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 01, 2018, 04:52:22 am
Thanks everyone. This has been interesting. I did get the short bendy off the first side split.
The piece I split off belly was very strange. If you look at first picture you can see the very heart of tree and the end I'm holding has rings from other side of heart on bottom. I started belly split from other end with back to top like normal belly split. Somehow before I got to other end back of bow was where belly should have been. I wish I could have taken pictures but was out of storage again. I tried chasing ring a making sense of it thinking it must twist around heart but couldn't figure it out. Ended up with a very light kids bow with a violated back. Oh well the wood needed to be removed anyway. My grandson will have fun with it.
The second side split although very crooked and twisted looks like it should have a nice bow in it. I did some preliminary straightening on it last night. I'll try to get pictures of them all when done.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Springbuck on February 01, 2018, 06:13:20 am
 It's always a gamble trying to get that "maybe" stave, but when it works out, it's awesome!
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 06, 2018, 02:54:25 pm
Well did alright on that stave. I ended up with two hunting bows and a pretty cheesy kids bow. The grandkids will have a blast with it though. I guess anatomically speaking the 68" stiff handle 52@28" with the hole in the knot must be the grandma. The crooked old knotty bend through the handle 51@25" must be the grandpa. And the yardstick with caricature is the grandson. Sorry to say he got sniped and no longer has his appendage. Their all shooting now but not finished up. I'll try to post some more pictures when their finished up. The bend through the handle has some heat that got around to the back. I've shoot it a bunch already but I might sinew it.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 06, 2018, 03:21:59 pm
I call that getting your monies worth, BJ. Good job my friend.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 06, 2018, 04:16:17 pm
Yup Pearl I'd say the price was right on this one.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Swampman on February 06, 2018, 04:32:16 pm
That is some nice work. Being frugal paid off. 
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 06, 2018, 05:49:33 pm
By gum, that's how it is done!
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: BowEd on February 06, 2018, 05:55:05 pm
Good save with plenty of poundage on all the wood BJ.Guess you could say osage is a frugal type bow wood too.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: upstatenybowyer on February 06, 2018, 07:01:02 pm
Yes BJ! Fantastic work getting that much  :BB from so little  )W(

Another impressive demonstration of your skills, knowledge and experience.  ;)
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 06, 2018, 08:51:06 pm
Thanks swampman and JW
Ed that should be the quote of the day there. It just amazes me what a sliver or this stuff will do.
Thanks Jeff but I'm still learning so much with every bow. Really do like playing with this Osage though. Been pushing my comfort zone a little.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: ohma2 on February 06, 2018, 08:54:30 pm
3 good lookin bows ,nicely done.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: chamookman on February 07, 2018, 03:35:59 am
Way to go BJ  :BB ! Bob
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Pappy on February 07, 2018, 05:46:08 am
Nice job, love it when things work out. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: leonwood on February 07, 2018, 06:19:23 am
You did that piece of wood justice! Great bows bows out of one piece of osage. Wish I had a piece of osage like that ::)
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 11, 2018, 08:01:04 am
Thanks everyone sorry didn't reply but I had the flu for a couple days.

I got this stave from Clint at Marshall. It was a belly split so I chased a ring to get a clean back. I couldn't really see one bow in it but I could see two. Decided to split it between the knots. We'll see if I can get those two bows to cooperate.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 11, 2018, 08:06:10 am
Here's one of the knots cleaned up. Wish it was further from the edge but hey nothing ventured nothing gained.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Morgan on February 11, 2018, 09:34:36 am
Outstanding work getting those first three bows! That last stave would be beyond the outer limits of my comfort zone. Watching this one.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: HorseApples on February 12, 2018, 11:10:36 am
Hey BJ, favor to ask - can you post a close-up if the little bow where the branch/knot was, or explain how you worked around it?
I have a similar problem on a stave and I also deduced that I need to just cut it off. In the process of chasing a ring around the bump that remains, but I am just not sure what to do with that hard, dark, plastic-like wood that was the base of the branch. Do you just leave it be or bore it out?
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 12, 2018, 03:54:49 pm
Hedgeapples I actually ended up shortening the bow and cutting them off. I think they would probably have made some hand shock on the tips of the yardstick. I did clean the cut off down to a ring and take picture. This one is tight and probably could be left most any length but would probably be in danger of getting knocked off.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Aaron H on February 12, 2018, 06:50:28 pm
Great work on those bj
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: HorseApples on February 13, 2018, 08:03:14 am
Quote
Hedgeapples I actually ended up shortening the bow and cutting them off.

Bummer mine is right in the fade so I don't have that option. From the second pic, it looks like I am on the right track though. Seems like its just a matter of how proud you want it to be.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2018, 09:33:43 am
The wood around a knot like that is stronger than the wood on a clear area. The tree adds extra thickness to support the limb.
Title: Re: Frugal me
Post by: bjrogg on February 13, 2018, 05:54:45 pm
Quote
Hedgeapples I actually ended up shortening the bow and cutting them off.

Bummer mine is right in the fade so I don't have that option. From the second pic, it looks like I am on the right track though. Seems like its just a matter of how proud you want it to be.

Thank you!

Actually that's probably the best place to have it hedgeapples. As long as it doesn't get in your way for hand or arrow.