Why did my Osage bow split laterally? Is it important to rub in oils?

[dvdhlwy]

Does an Osage bow require that oils be rubbed in to keep it from cracking or splitting?

[osage outlaw]

No.  How old was your stave when you made the bow?  Where did you store the bow?  Can you post some pictures of the crack?

[upstatenybowyer]

Were you heating it with dry heat when it split? Did it happen while seasoning? If so, did you remove the bark and/or chase a ring before letting it dry?

[bradsmith2010]

no

[Del the cat]

With wood ... stuff happens...
Prob' just a flaw in the wood.
Pic might tell us more....
Laterally is still ambiguous...I'm assuming the split ran along the bow with crack going back to belly, or was it along the bow but like a delamination of a ring.
Del

[Stick Bender]

Del couldnt have said it better some times with natural materials there is unseen flaws not all osage is created equal but with out a pic or more info it would be hard to say on yours but some times you can do every thing right and still get beat by a bad peace of hedge.

[Dances with squirrels]

No, in general. And no oils needed during heating.