Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Steve Milbocker on December 02, 2010, 12:19:08 pm

Title: Back it or saw it?
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 02, 2010, 12:19:08 pm
I have been working on laying in a supply of bow wood. I have some osage with some mighty tight growth rings. Would I be better off backing these staves with raw hide or something or sawing them into board staves where they could be laminated with hickory,bamboo or some other appropriate wood?
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 02, 2010, 12:39:43 pm
If you can chase the ring you don't have to do anything else. Jawge
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 02, 2010, 12:53:38 pm
Most of them are too thin to chase George,at least for me.
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: Pat B on December 02, 2010, 12:56:02 pm
I have backed thin ringed osage with rawhide with good results. I like thin ringed osage as it make a very good bow. Chase a back ring as good as possible and back it with rawhide.
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 02, 2010, 01:57:54 pm
Thanks Pat, sounds good to me. I wasn't sure how I was going to get it milled anyway!
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 02, 2010, 04:26:23 pm
What Pat said. Use a scraper to get to the ring you want after going to the ring above it. If you come through with a violation try  again. If you get no violations you n't ned a backing. If less than 1/16 leave it could be tough. Leave it a little  wider. Jawge
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: gstoneberg on December 03, 2010, 12:40:29 am
I agree with the guys.  I just went to a sawmill to try and get some quartersawn osage.  We cut through 2 trees and the center cut  was bad on each tree.  It is hard to get a good piece of quartersawn osage.  Odds are you'll just get rift sawn boards.  You'll get many more bows from your wood doing as Jawge and Pat have recommended.

George
Title: Re: Back it or saw it?
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 03, 2010, 07:56:46 am
Thank you gentleman.