Going to get a stave today and need demensions for a bow

[Cameron30]

Ok im going to get a stave today and Il probably have to wait untill I get it to say what type of wood but Im going to try to get white oak since thats mostly what I have. Anyway I am hoping for it to be a long bow with fades and flares. I dont care what the rest of the bow looks like that awful much but I want to make it with fades and flares ( a skinny handle thats thick that tapers up to the limb is what I think this means ). Im getting the stave later today so when I get it I will post pics. Thanks for any advice.

Cameron

[Pat B]

Cameron, When you get your stave come back and show us. It will depend on the stave and the wood as to what design to use.
  Basically, with white wood(I consider oak white wood)you will want to over build your bow, long and wide most of its length. Especially since it is your first(I'm guessing).    Pat

[Cameron30]

I tried to cut one but It fell on another trees limb so It didnt make it to the ground. I couldnt push it down, I spent atleast 30 minuites trieng to get it off that other trees limb. I will try again with a diffrent tree later. This one probably wouldnt make the best of a stave though. It looked like it had some big nots in it.

   Thanks for the advice Pat, sorry I didnt have any pics to show. You are very close about the first bow thing. This will be my second bow so far and I dont think thats much diffrent from a first bow but I know a little more of what to expect this time. It might be a week before I go back for another tree. Its supose to rain all week. Cant wait to go back and try again though.

Cameron

[Pat B]

Be careful of that "widow maker"! Pat

[Cameron30]

I dont mean to be dumb but whats a widdow maker?

Cameron

[Pat B]

The tree hung up in the other tree. If it falls and you are under it and you are married, your wife will be a widow.
  You might be able to undercut the trunk and it will release but whatever you do, be careful.     Pat