Got some Osage! . . . Now what.

[Prarie Bowyer]

Got a B-day gift of 2 of the 39" boards from 3 rivers.  Kinda  pricy but I can't seem to land any otherwise.

The are 5/8" by 2 1/2".  I'm thinking if I'm smart here I could get 2 bows.  Or even two bows and two cores for tri-lams. 

If I go 1 1/4" I could make to matchign bows.  Or I could make one 1 1/2" R/D or even Recurve bow and one "stick" like bow.

Should I bamboo back or sinew back? 

What is a good length for an Osage Recurve?

Too many options!

[Del the cat]

Leave 'em wrapped up and forward 'em to me
Del

[DarkSoul]

Don't cut them exactly in half lengthwise. Cut them somewhat diagonally tapered. Cut one board into two limbs, each tapering from 1" on one end to 1½" on the other end. That'll leave you with enough width for either a longbow or a recurve or a flatbow.

I'd personally go with a bamboo backing, but that's just because I don't have easy access to sinew. R/D profile of bamboo backed osage looks soooo darn good

Remember: these boards are precious and you might not get more osage boards for a while. Don't rush things that you might regret later on.