First attempt unsupervised

[cjkopec]

My son is starting on another stave. I told him to hold off on the Osage he started until he has supervision at his side. So we pulled out some black locust.

He has chosen the rings between the arrows. How does this look to you?

Thanks in advance.

[osage outlaw]

Why go that many rings down?  I would stop at the first cleanly chased ring.  They all look good enough to use.

[cjkopec]

Thank you
I asked him and he said those were the ones he liked because they were darker. Summer Growth? I posted it on Fb also and was told the same thing about starting at the 3rd ring down. So I'll have him start there.

This is why I'm asking just to make sure we aren't throwing effort out the window.

I this something he should try to split and get 2 from? I should have put a tape measure on it. Shoot. I'll do that tomorrow

[DC]

How wide is that stave? If he goes to that third ring is there enough for two bows. Maybe too much to try for?

[cjkopec]

DC he just asked me that. Maybe its a possibility? It's all Latin to me right now. I'm a newbie also. let me see if I can get a tape on it for a measurement.

[cjkopec]

The first undisturbed ring is 3 5/8"

So, I'm guessing it's a one bow deal. There is a knot at the other end also. The tape side in the pic is the outer ring side.

And thank you to everyone that is helping and taking the time.

[PatM]

Use the top rings for practice.   Whichever one ends up perfectly chased, use it.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Throw me in the group of using the 3rd ring down. The others are getting a bit too deep into the stave for my taste with the other rings above it looking good. The knot at te end won’t be a big deal, it might just make the tip wiggle a little once cleaned up.

Kyle

[PaulN/KS]

While my experience with black locust is strictly vicarious, the third ring will allow him to have more width for the layout of his bow.

[Yard Dog]

I say chase the closest ring and see what happens..... if you violate it, go to the next.... no need to target rings so far away...... Just my opinion, tho....

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't think it matters much. My last BL bow did not have enough heartwood for a bow so I left the last layer of sapwood.  It looked like it was just about ready to change to heartwood.
Jawge

[Parnell]

I wouldn’t split it, myself.  Looks like a nice stave to work with.  Curious...will you all look to hit a gathering like Elm Hall?  How old is your son and do you have a contact for him to act as a sort of bow mentor, if interested?

It’s cool to see how you are approaching this.  Good stuff!

[mullet]

I agreed on the third ring down and splitting it for two bows on Facebook, also.

[cjkopec]

Curious...will you all look to hit a gathering like Elm Hall?  How old is your son and do you have a contact for him to act as a sort of bow mentor, if interested?

It’s cool to see how you are approaching this.  Good stuff!

Parnell, we looked into Elm Hall last year but something cam up just before and we were not able to make it. It is on our list for this year. We were also wondering if my trailer would fit into Elm Hall. I use a 4 horse trailer with living quarters that is 42' over all plus the truck. I can bring the tent too but since you've been there you might be able to advise me on this. I'll put a pic in below.

My son is 13. We have met so many helpful people along the way. I've adopted Guy, although he really doesn't know it He has been helpful along with many others along the way on the internet. Last weekend he spent the day with a man we met in the Michigan Longbow Association and he helped with getting him started with the osage stave. But any mentoring we can get for him would be greatly appreciated. He would like to become a bowyer focusing on primitive bows and primitive skill sets. I'm doing my best to supply him with all the knowledge I can. I've added MoJam to our list of events this year and I'm pretty sure that we can make it there.

He is currently saving for a trip to take some classes on English longbow bowmaking, arrowsmithing and forging arrowhead in England. I'm hoping to get him there the late Summer of 2019.

[NorthHeart]

Thats one very fortunate young man to have such support from mom.