First Selfbow

[Schmidtster]

I'm making a bow from a ash stave I cut out of the bush behine my house. It's the first one I've tried I was just wondering how far away from the knots i have to stay I have none on the back but two on the side of one limb. And should i make that limb the top or bottom?

[Pat B]

Pics would really help!

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't really understand the question. There are buildalongs on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[Schmidtster]

[Schmidtster]

sorry bout the pic i'll resize

[Schmidtster]

These are the knots i'm talking about. I think they'll be ok after checking a few other posts out any other suggestions for this stave feel free this is a first for me.

[Pat B]

First off there are no gaurentees when you build wood bows...but that is half of the fun! d;^)
 You should be fine with those knots. Leave as much "meat" around them as possible from now on. Don't worry about knots on the belly. The tension side(back) is the critical part.
 From what I can see your lay out looks good. How do the knots relate on the back of the stave? That is where it is important.
 What I would do once the stave is cut out and at floor tiller stage is clamp it to a form and heat it to give both limbs even reflex.

[George Tsoukalas]

What Pat said. Good job on the lay out following the vertical or lateral grain. Jawge

[Schmidtster]

thanks for the tips guys and yes I was thinking of putting a little reflex in it never have done that before but have seen alot of posts on it. As for the knots now that I have it down a litle more and measured it again I may be cutting them right out of the belly and lucked out! Once i get it to the tillering stage I'll put up some more pics.