I finally had a good walnut stave that I cut down over a year ago. Yesterday My son and I started to rip it down and turn it into a character bow. all we used was 10 inch draw knife and some wedges I will post pics of the process later on tonight. Wish us luck as we chase the grain on this thing.                  

I don't chase a ring on Walnut, remove the bark and thats the back of your bow.

Good luck, i look forward to the progress !

i agree. just remove the bark and there's your bows back.don

I have got the bow laid out pretty good now. It is going to be a good unusual bow I will post some pics again here in a few minutes. I removed the bark you are right that is the best way for walnut. It isn't straight by any means but it will be a lot of fun to make. Thanks for the post everybody    

sweet!!! The dark wood is a little more compression strong, it will make a sweet bow. I have one I plan on trying to chase the sap wood down to about 1/8 above the dark wood. Looking forward to seeing how yours turn out. keep them coming.

Thanks  Living_Waters I have about 8 more drying in the garage. 4 hickory 2 more walnut 2 Maple. I love to try and make these type of bows they are just fun. Send me some pics of yours when you start.

Looking good StoneAK ! Keep the pics coming

Yep, that's gonna be a really pretty bow. I'd love to have a good walnut stave to build one from. Be sure and show us the end result.

Archer2 I have a couple of staves. Let me see what I have out in the garage maybe I can help you out.
They may not be the best but I will check for you. in a little while and pm you with some pics.

Working on the tiller now can't wait until its finished    

Looking good, i'd get the outer 1/3 bending more, looks like it's getting ready to hinge just out of the fades. What weigth and draw length are you going for ?

The bow lifted in the grain so I backed it with sinew reflexed the tips and left it to shoot with I love character bows. The uglier the better
     
         

Nice job! Too bad the backing lifted a bit on you. What was the final dimension's   (length, weight, draw, brace)?

Great job on that one. That walnut is some beautiful wood.

The wood lifted in a small hinge that was in the limb during tiller. So I decided to back the bow with sinew and give some reflex to help with performance. The backing saved the lift in the wood it almost broke on me thats  why I chose the sinew. it is 64" NTN 45# at 28" and the brace is 7 inches.

That is really nice. It has a nice profile! I like it!

Thank you

I have shot the bow at least a hundred shots and hanging in strong. Talk about being hooked on traditional archery. Starting from a tree that I cut and split then worked into a killing machine is enough to keep me going for a long time.

Nice save, something about shooting one that should have never made it..Looks good!
Bow building ought to have a support group for those that are addicted. Took a perry reflex boo hickory ought of the oven last night and turned down the heat to finish a osage and mulberry character staves. I wish I could say it gets better StoneAK but it only gets worse.