On my eastern red cedar stave.  I was wondering do I need to try and follow the grain on the sides Or just get my shape I need.  It is very hard to see the longitudinal grain.  I am going to leave the sap wood on and try to make it 50/50 sapwood/heartwood.  I also plan to back it with rawhide or sinew.  Going for a overbuilt bow.  Any suggestion would help me.  Thanks

subscribed! i have soem ERC locally and i have been itching to see someone do one up...


get a pic for us and we can have a better idea what your stave looks like.

as for the grain , how does it look on the belly?


-hov

I squared up the sides and the belly with a hand axe.  I am going to lay out the bow design and either band saw it close or hack it close with hand axe.  Then plan to work on the back a little to smooth it up some.  Will see how it goes.