Hello everyone,

I am very new to traditional archery, and I have recently found an osage self bow.  I just took the bow to my local bowyer, and got just about everything taken care of for it.  The only thing I have yet to find out about it is long-term care of the bow.  I know that there is a number of finishes an all wood bow can have, and I'm not sure how to maintain this bow's finish.

My bowyer wasnt certain what finish it was, so he recommended this forum.  The guy I got it from wasn't certain of the finish either.  His friend made it for him, so there's no way to find the standard finish, unlike some name-brand bows.

Do you know where I should start?

I, like many others use Tru-Oil, a gun stock finish, on our bows. Wipe on or spray on poly works well as does most glass bow finishes. If the finish is good you shouldn't have to do anything but enjoy the bow. Unbrace the bow when you are not hunting or shooting and I hang my bows vertically by the string from a peg or you can hang it horizontally on a bow rack. Don't stand the bow on it's end in a corner. That's not good for them.
Will you post a pic of your new bow?

Unfortunately I can't. I tried posting the pictures from my phone, but it didnt exactly work.  I'm also having trouble sincing the pictures from my phone to my laptop.

It's a 62" osage self bow.  It has a 60# draw weight and a 27" draw length.  The brace height is 6" when strung.  The finish seems very natural, without much shine to it.  I'd say its semi gloss.  It is very smooth and has a lot of twists in it, but the tips and handle are in line.  It has been gently used and well taken care of, according to my bowyer.  I'm super excited to start practicing with it.

Ive read that periodically the bows should be waxed or have oil applied to them.  Is that truly the case?

I've been building and using selfbows for over 30 years and unless the finish is damaged there is no need to upgrade it. Sometimes after being in wet conditions I'll use a dry or lightly oiled rag to wipe the bow down but this mainly remove the surface water.
Like I said, I use Tru-Oil as a finish. Tru-Oil gives a very shiny finish so for hunting bows I'll give a quick spray of satin poly over the bow for a soft, semi gloss finish. Some folks will use a good quality furniture wax or car wax as a protective coat over the regular finish but I never found a need for it.

"I have recently found an osage self bow."   If the finish looks really dull maybe its Tru-Oil or something along that line.  Otherwise Spray on 3-4 coats of Polyurethane and forget it. 

Thank you so much for the information!

Do you have any other words of advice for a new traditional archer?

Enjoy your new endevour. 

Start saving now, cuz you're gonna want another!!!

Yup, ya might as well start building a bow rack now:)

Lol, Thank you all so much!