OSAGE!!

[KyStickbow]

Curious what u guys think about Osage? Is it one of the quieter woods or louder? Is it springy...etc?

I have never shot an Osage bow but am interested in one..I think. Just wondering what ur guys opinions are.

I think it is a beautiful looking wood and I would love to see pics of any that u may have if u care to share.

Thanks

[4est trekker]

Nothing finer in my book...  

[DVSHUNTER]

Originally posted by 4est trekker:
Nothing finer in my book...    

X2

[Blue EagleBum]

X3

[Ryan Yoon]

Works just as well as any other wood. Almost all woods can make equally good bows.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I guess it's ok?   :rolleyes:  

Just kiddin' it's all I've worked with so far except for some bamboo and Osage is the most forgiving wood a new bowyer could possibly get his hands on.    

Do a search here on trad gang for Osage bows, and you'll get lots of posts with pics in them. Look through the active posts still on the board and you'll find lots of pics.

Here's a few to get you started.
My nephews shooting their Osage Christmas bows I made them this past year.





Here's one I recently sent to a guy in Virginia.

[Mark Smeltzer]

Osage is for sure a favorite of mine but don't forget, hickory,black locust, ect.




Just a couple Osage. Hickory is IMO a near second.
Mark

[Mark Smeltzer]

Mark

[Mark Smeltzer]

Sorry for all the different posts, I don't think Osage is any louder or quieter than other woods. It is mostly in the design and limb timing.
Mark

[Mark Smeltzer]

A different recurve and a bamboo/Osage lam.

[okie64]

Most forgiving bow wood I've worked with.

[CaptainJ]

Living in Colorado where there is no osage, I've been building white wood (elm, oak, ash, hickory) bows for years. This last year I finally got my hands on a big osage stave and built 4 bows from it.
My conclusion: Osage was created by God for bows.
It is durable, hard, beautiful, and doesn't easily take a set.
As for noise? Mark is right; that is about design and tuning.

CJ

[snag]

Osage and yew are the two woods that as far back as the 20's archers were touting as "the best bow wood".
I am currently making my first osage bow. I loved chasing the ring. What a joy to see the unveiled smooth surface. It seems to flex strong and evenly with lots of life to it.
I will have to try yew next.

[okie64]

Dang Mark, those are some sweet lookin curves!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

How did you manage to retain that shape after tillering? Please enlighten me cause I gotta know your secret!
That one in the last pic is freaking awesome also!

[Mark Smeltzer]

Thanks,
I thin the tips, heat bend like normal then   and add an underlay that has been heated and formed.....like this, hope the pictures explain it better.
I wrap it with innertube stips for clamps.
Those recurves are a pain to string and tiller in the beginning, when they are heavy weights.

Mark

[Firstarrow]

Mark

That is one fine looking bow. When it is shot how does it feel? Is it smooth as butter or will it rattle your teeth and fillings?

THANK YOU!

[Mark Smeltzer]

Thank you!
No it does not have any noticeable hand shock. It shoots very well.  It is has several layers of sinew under the snake skins. I only draw 26.5" so it shoots well for me but when I let the nieghbor kid shoot it at 28.5" it really shoots better/faster.
It is Osage, 60"ntn and 55@28"

The unfinished one is sinew, Yew with Red Elm underlays, I'm still working on that one.

Mark