white oak question

[Lee Lobbestael]

Hey guys, Will white oak with thin growth rings tolerate some ring violations like hickory does? I have several winter cut white oak staves that have very thin rings and I feel that I will probably violate the growth ring directly under the cambium a few times when I take off the bark.

[blackhawk]

Its not that hard to be careful and not nick the wood underneath if your good with hand tools...start carefully with a drawknife taking all the rough outer bark off,then scrape the rest of the inner bark off with a scraper..then 220 sandpaper....just be careful of any knots and raised areas....I'd rather take my time and do it right exposing a clean non violated back...that is the base foundation of your bow so do it right

[adb]

I agree. It's worth the time and effort to do it right. Yew is the only wood I don't worry about chasing a ring on the back.

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't trust any wood with ring violations.  Easy with a dknife and use a scraper early on. Jawge

[Lee Lobbestael]

Ok thanks guys! I do plan on being as careful as possible. Was just wondering if i accidentally nick through a growth ring, do I have to worry about it. I know that several hickory self bows I have built have had ring violations due to the thin growth rings and they hold up just fine if the bow isn't too extreme.

[rockrush69]

I would leave the bark on ... make the bow and while tillering alot of the time ... most of the bark pops off .

[rockrush69]

Also . You can use a draw knife and carefully scrap bark off . Get down to the " under bark layer " and then use a rounded scraper . But dont scrap from tip to tip direction . Scrap side to side . . . This is the method i use on yew and i get zero violation ....

[rockrush69]

If there is a violation . Then just back it with sinew , rawhide, or linen . ( real linen from flax is actually very good backing )