Log/Wood splitting question

[Robyn Hode]

A friend gave me a hickory log that is 4 inches in diameter to make a bow from. Should I split the log and try to make two bows or should I just make one bow from it? The log is about 74 inches long.

I do not have much experience splitting logs into staves so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Roy from Pa]

Split it down the middle.

[Bowjunkie]

SAW it down the middle. It's more precise that way and incurs less loss, and with only 4" diameter, you don't have much room for error. As long as the grain is fairly straight, I would immediate take those two halves and cut them to about 2 to 2 1/2" wide, remove the bark if you haven't already, then remove the excess wood from the limb areas and steam them into reflex.

[EwokArcher]

Id probably just split it down the middle with a series of wedges. Then narrow as junkie indicated.

If you are worried about getting 2 bows worth from that log sawing will allow that with less margin for error.

[Pat B]

As long as the tree didn't grow in a spiral I'd saw the log in half. This will give you 2 staves. Splitting small diameter logs can be tricky and you may only get 1 stave.
I like to bind the 2 halves back together with twine and spacers between the 2 halves for good air circulation.

[Bowjunkie]

A main concern with splitting a 4" log, is to ensure the split goes right down the center in the handle area. Otherwise, you're likely to have too much handle wood on one stave and not enough on the other. That's the main reason I'd saw it.

You can start the first wedge in the handle area, and I've done that a few times, but it's not foolproof either.

[Robyn Hode]

Thanks all. I'll get the log cut and bark removed right way. A friend of mine just gave me a old draw knife he found at an auction. It's in real good shape and I can't wait to put it to work.

[Roy from Pa]

If the hickory log is fairly green, hickory bark peels off real easy. Start a screw driver under the bark on one end and if it's green, the bark will come off like peeling off a band aid. Once the bark is off, that's the back of the bow. You don't need to chase a ring on hickory. If the log is older, then use the draw knife carefully.

[Bowjunkie]

The bark isn't going to peel off like that now. Three months ago, sure, but not in November.

[Pat B]

I agree with Bj. Trees are already dormant here.

[Roy from Pa]

I agree, you guys must have missed my last sentence that if it's older, use a draw knife.

[Bowjunkie]

It HAS to be older. It's... uh... November.

 

[Bowjunkie]

I actually had an osage billet today give up all of its bark in one piece like a fresh cut piece of summer white wood. It was old though and had spent considerable time out in the weather, and then almost a year in the shop.

[Bowjunkie]

I'd post a pic, but you know, pain in the butt here.

[Roy from Pa]

Oh for pity sakes farmer..  

[Bowjunkie]

Well RoyCityBoy I appreciate that, but that's not the one I was talking about. lol

[Roy from Pa]

I know, text me the other one farmer ...

[Roy from Pa]

[scrub-buster]

If I cut osage in warm months and leave the bark on it will occasionally pop off like that in one piece as it dries.  Sometimes the sapwood under it checks and sometimes it doesn't.

[Robyn Hode]

I would say this is definitely an older log he gave me. The bark is really hard to remove. I did get some of it removed this morning and there are insect tracks (channels) under the bark. Is this log ruined or do I just try to find 2 to 3 inches where there are no tracks?

I don't now when it was cut down but the log is really heavy for 4 inches in diameter.

Also I have not cut/split the log yet I thought it would be easier with the bark off. What should I use to cut it? I have 12 inch band saw, 10 inch table saw, and a 10 inch hand held skill saw.

Thanks