.......do you think Ol' Abe is consulting while he splits staves?  Hunting the Osage Bow?  Trad Bowyers Bible? Billets to Bows? The Bent Stick?

I think he's splittin fence rails, but it could be some Osage. I wish I could find a piece that straight.

The Bent Stick is a quality piece! Especially for the first timer or someone interested in all kinds of bow woods. The others are good too. Dean is a thought provoking philosphical read and good methods that work not for just osage.

Jim Hamms Book is where I started. Easily understood and straight forward!

I think it was called "bows of the american indians" Its only been 15 years or so since I read it last.

That's gottta be TBBI by the looks of it.  But I don't remember any chapters on splitting wood.  I know for sure there is one in Dean's book.  I am sure a man of Abe's caliber had them all and maybe he was delving into Baker's design chapter.  That was pretty deep.

from the looks of that log he missed the part about sealing the ends. It looks like he has some drying checks. ;-)

The whitchery of archery?  Its closer to his time.

Sitting on that split he better hope that wedge does not pop out!!