Thin Ringed Osage Stave

LeeNY · January 21, 2011, 09:27:00 PM

After a short hiatus of 5 years I got back into bow building.

Got a question on rawhide backing. I've got a stave that's really nice except the rings are around 1/16th to 1/8th. I know I can get a bow out of it. But, when should I back it? Before I start bending it or later? (during tillering)

Thanks,
Lee

Diamondback59 · January 21, 2011, 10:22:00 PM

lee how long is it ? if it s got ring s good enough follow 1 ring there s ur back i never back osage unless it s real bad OR REAL SHORT brock

DVSHUNTER · January 21, 2011, 10:31:00 PM

I'm with Brock. Find a ring that's an eight thick and use it. If you really feel the need to back it do it before bendin.

Pat B · January 22, 2011, 12:11:00 AM

I agree with the guys above. I love thin ringed osage but I'm talking 1/32" to 1/16" with knots. Then I use rawhide. If you have a clean back ring you do not need to back osage.

LeeNY · January 22, 2011, 09:01:00 AM

Well it's off to the shop. We'll see where I end up!

Thanks for the input!

KellyG · January 22, 2011, 03:12:00 PM

Man the Osage almost needs it own forum with all the osage builds going on right now. Show us pics as you go along if you can, I know I will pick something up.
Kelly

LeeNY · January 22, 2011, 04:35:00 PM

Progress on this one came to a halt. I got this stave about 6yr. ago. For shipping the person that sent me the stave did some heavy duty drawknifing to keep shipping costs down. I was chasing a ring that was suitable for the back and was really easy to follow. I chased it the entire length, no problems until I flipped it around. On the upper (we'll call it that for now)limb about mid limb it looked a little thinner than the rest of the limb. The grain took a natural dip and the individual who sent me the stave took a little to much off with the draw knife. (in case you wanted to know it flexes there and could be a problem later)

So I'm stopping right there, going to look at it ponder it and perhaps it might be my first bendy handle short bow. Although i was hoping for a 68" flat bow.

All is not lost about the same time I got this stave, I purchased one from John Scifres I've got this one shaping up nicely Pic's tomorrow (wife went to NYC with camera). It's now snow shoveling time.

Diamondback59 · January 22, 2011, 04:41:00 PM

LEE GOOD IDEA TO STOP GET OUT UR LIL GOOSENECK SCRAPER WORK THE LIL BENDS FOLLOW UR RING IF YA HAVE TO GO DOWN A RING AS LONG AS YA HAVE 1 GOOD RING THE LEGTH OF THE STAVE UR GOOD POST PIC S WELL HELP YA BROCK PS HOW MUCH SNOW YA GOT ? I GOT A LIL SQUALL MOVED OUT WINDS DOIN 50 MPH NOW SO IN HOUSE WORKIN ON MY TRADE PROJECT

LeeNY · January 22, 2011, 06:02:00 PM

I'm down to one ring, but the draw knife work done by another left a real thin spot that bends. Since the rings are really thin from there on down. It's a mediocre stave so instead of making firewood. I'll wait, contemplate and make a bendy handle bow maybe with some sinew!

LeeNY · January 22, 2011, 06:04:00 PM

I'm going to work on the other stave from John.

George Tsoukalas · January 23, 2011, 03:08:00 PM

If you can chase you don't need to back it. My last bow's back is 1/16 in. I almost always back after long string tillering. Jawge

LeeNY · January 23, 2011, 05:36:00 PM

George sent u a PM