Which will make a better bow using Osage?
With oak i look for wider rings because there is then less air in the wood making it more dense. I don't know if this applies to other woods but that is my two cents.
8 to 10 rings per inch, that's what I look for!
Thanks
1/8" rings with a 3:1 ratio of latewood to earlywood from the tension side of a 10-14" diameter tree. Or so.
I look for earlywood/latewood ratio; a clear definition between each latewood ring and the sapwood band that separates them.
If the earlywood and latewood layers bleed into each other, then it's not the best piece.
and the latewood rings should be thicker than the sapwood rings (see John Scifres' post on the 3:1 ratio).
I like osage and will and have used any of it and generally with good results!
It doesn't matter to me. f the rings are too small I go a bit wider. I haven't noticed a difference. Jawge
In Glenn St Charles book billets to bows i think he says something like back in the day none of the old masters or himself payed any attention to ring thickness> I dont know I personally like thicker rings.