I have a stave from a tree I cut last summer.  It has thoroughly dried and I was getting ready to go to work on it.  Problem is, the rings are thin ranging between 1/16 and 1/8.  I'm pretty good at chasing a ring, so chasing them isn't the issue.  My question is, are 1/16 rings too thin to make a good bow, or am I pretty much wasting my time on this stave?

What wood is it? Jawge

I have made excellent osage bows with rings thinner than 1/16". I'd like to have some with 1/8" rings. d;^)  Be careful around any knots and pins on the back and add a rawhide backing if it would make you feel better. I usually back thin ringed osage with rawhide because of the chance of lifting a splinter from the knots and pins or violating the thin ring.

Sorry, it's osage...what else is there?  :rolleyes:

1/8 in is fine. 1/16 is fine too if you can do it but it's tough. I think my last was 1/16. Go a bit wider. I usually go to the largest ring of the stave. Good night.Jawge

rawhide is quick,easy, and safe.

I've made quite a few bows with less that 1/6.

1/16" gets rawhide for me.  Anything thicker is generally unbacked.  I critical part is the ratio of latewood to earlywood.  Thicker earlywood can make me rethink design.  Got any pics?

Pastor, may I ask how many bows you have built? Jawge

Jawge, I've only built about 4 "successful" bows.  The others don't count.
Since you mentioned going wider, would you give a recommendation...I'm shooting for a about 64" and 50# at about 26" or 27".  I was thinking 1.5" at fade with either a straight taper or carrying the width out 1/3 and then taper to .5" tips.
Before I start, I may go and look over the other staves from this tree to see if any others are better.  I had started a bow from the same tree, but the stave was either from a different section or perhaps just from the other side of the log, but it had better rings (lopsided rings), but it ended up being scrapped due to some severe wind checks.  I had it down to the final ring and even cut out and almost floor tillered when I decided the checks were too bad.

Pastor, good for you. I suggest you go with the 1.5". I think a rawhide backing is an excellent idea. It will give you peace of mind. Jawge