I'm looking to make my first self-bow from a stave, and unfortunately, don't own any good bow-wood trees, so I'm going to have to buy a couple of staves.
I have a couple of questions:
Should I try hickory or osage? I understand chasing growth rings but have no experience actually doing it. Hickory sounds more tolerant of mistakes, but seems harder to find online.
I'm in MA and it's very cold for several more months. I imagine preventing staves from freezing is a good idea, no?
Any preferred places online to go looking?
What part of MA are you in? Im in NE ct and ive got some hickory ready to go. Also have the hookup on osage and would love to help you out.
My first was an osage stave. You can make a lot of mistakes with osage and still end up with a shootable bow. Chasing a ring isn't difficult at all.
Good thing about hickory is its abundant (to me) and i can cut some whenever i want. Ill give you a stave for free if you'll come and get it. I have a couple of osage staves but they got some character. Would let one go for what it would cost to replace it (probably half of what they go for sale usually) i recommend starting with hickory cause its a free lesson in tillering.
Echatham, I'm closer to NH than CT, but for an offer like that will make the drive! Thanks! I'll send you a PM.
I doubt freezing has any effect. Trees live outside :)