okay, i got an osage stave ~3 months ago. 2 weeks ago i chased a ring, and today i roughed it out. My question is... do i need to reseal the bows back if it is already rouged out (even width, but with limb thickness @ 5/8) do i need to seal a chased heartwood ring.

PS: its drying at the top of my closet

Yes. Reseal the back during the bow making process. The moisture will fluctuate as tempera
ture changes. Better safe than sorry.
I keep the backs of my selfbows sealed until I'm ready for the finishing touches.

Will, where are you in LA? El Dorado is in south central AR, just about 25 miles from the LA line.

If it was dry to begin with you dont need to seal it again.

thanks, and im in south east LA around N.O.

thanks, and im in south east LA around N.O.

I don't reseal unless the wood is green.  But it sounds like yours is still wet so I think I'd give it a coat of shellac while it dries.

I reseal newly exposed backs with shallac just in case. I've had well seasoned osage check after exposing a new back ring so an $8 spray can of shellac is cheap insurance!

I would shellac the back. as Pat B. says, it is cheap insurance. when in doubt, seal up the back and ends. no harm can come from it, and it might help obviate disaster.

Will, I've seen several patches of bamboo around northern and central LA. Surely someone around N.O.