Starting an Osage Flatbow

[SebastianArc]

So I’ve just finished taking this piece of Osage to a single growth ring, and starting to think about the dimensions of this flatbow, I don’t have a lot of experience with Osage , I’ve only ever made 2 ELBs some years ago, with slight regret as I know now that Osage loves being made flat. I know it definitely can make elbs with success but I moved to the idea that Osage has always been a flatbow for a reason.. anyway I’m looking to making this bow quite heavy with gentle recurves and around 70# will be happy with 65#@ 28 with a max draw 29” it’s a quite narrow stave at its most narrow it’s 1 1/2” just wondering if any of you Osage pros can lead me on the right direction with what’s best dimensions for this..



Thank you!

[Pat B]

It's a nice clear stave. How are the rings? 1 1/2" is plenty wide enough and 66" to 68" would be a good length. I think I'd go 1 1/2" at the fades and out 8" or so before tapering to 3/4" tips for now and once you get to first brace and everything lines up I'd reduce the tips to 3/8".

[Selfbowman]

Make it wide as possible at the fades take it parallel for 8”.taper to 1-1/4 at mid limb. Then to 1”wide  8” from the tip and then about 3/8 at string knock. 69” long with a 9-10” stiff handle if you like a handle. Reflex the ends if you prefer. This will give you a smooth drawing bow. But there is lots of other ways to get it done.

[Selfbowman]

Pat you beat me to it while I was typing. We are thinking alike that’s scary.🤠 yes a nice stave!!!

[Pat B]

Great minds!   

[SebastianArc]

Thanks a lot guys! Will get that laid out tomorrow!

[SebastianArc]

The rings are pretty tight on this stave

[Pat B]

Not bad rings but the early/late ring ratio could be better but it is what it is and it will make a good bow.  Keep us posted with your success.

[superdav95]

Yes.  That’s a clean stave.  Good advice from these guys too.  I’m doing one with similar rings now actually.  Best luck.  I’m watching this one.   here’s a pic of the piece I’m working with for comparison.  It’s a very old stave that I got a couple years ago likley 10plus years old.  The Color is very dark which is kinda cool.  We shall see if it will bow. 

[Selfbowman]

Dave if the belly has more early wood than late wood you might consider trapping the back some.

[superdav95]

Dave if the belly has more early wood than late wood you might consider trapping the back some.

Ok I’ll see about that when I get more done with it.  I’ll pic your brain on that more.  As for the first few rings they look pretty good with more late wood but the next bunch on down are very tight the get thicker again towards the belly.  It was less then perfect stave for sure but I love the Color so I figured I’ll give it a go. 

[Selfbowman]

No way to know but the tighter rings may have been caused from drought. The tree had the same dirt during that time.