Primitive Archer

"If I split it all the way down into staves....I'm curious about what you are talking about, Hamish, regarding the kerfing part.  Are you saying to use the circular saw on the split staves to make a cut into the side of the split staves (along a growth ring) to split out additional "inner wood staves?"  If so, I'm guessing that trying to split off the inner staves from the originally split staves will not be as easy as hammering a draw knife into the end of the stave at one growth ring and having that split run along that growth ring for the length of the stave.  I've hand luck getting small child bow staves and removing unwanted bulk belly wood from dry osage staves n this manner, but I'm guessing hickory won't play so nice? "

Yes, you can use the circular saw to kerf for the inner splits. Like you mention, you can also try to split off the inner manually, without kerfing. Sometimes the wood wants to run off and migrate back towards the top split, though. If you catch it early enough and know what you are doing you can sometimes force the split back towards  where its supposed to be. Other times it doesn't work, no matter what you do. I also wouldn't recommend using a drawknife for splitting. The temper of the knife will make it more brittle than flexible, and you risk the knife getting damaged, with either chipped edge, distorted back  from beating on it, or even potentially snapping it. A froe is the proper tool for this kind of work, but most people don't have one.

I got to say, not much sexier than some perfect glue lines. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail will not go unappreciated here sir!

 I did one persimmon in my life, and hopefully the last. I think the wood on my tree was full of silica or something. I dulled every tool I have within a few strokes. I kept sharpening and sharpening, sticking with it until the end. It was not worth the work; I don't know if all persimmons are like this, hopefully not.

Jw, you joke, but I believe socketed arrows are a thing...

The bark will let you know if the wood is snakey. it will also tell you if the wood has a propeller twist to it.