Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bow101 on August 09, 2013, 10:12:16 pm

Title: Stave experts
Post by: bow101 on August 09, 2013, 10:12:16 pm
Like I said before photos are kind of tough doing..! So I have this 4-5 inch Hawthorn log it has 3 small knots near one end. It has a larger knot near the center.  How should I split it..?  As shown in the pic or flip it 90 degrees.?  ???
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: Blaflair2 on August 09, 2013, 10:48:27 pm
Personally I'd rotate it. U may avoid the knots. I'm new to bow making but I've split a lot of logs and milled small boards with my table saw.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: sleek on August 10, 2013, 12:21:02 am
I would do it the way you got it drawn and then splice the thick ends together for the handle. How long is it? Howevr, it may not make a difference in the world how you do it. Probably can make a bow either way, just try to keep the knots off the sides of the bow.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: Zion on August 10, 2013, 02:32:42 am
I just hope all goes well for ya splitting the hawthorn, it can be pretty darn tough to split, at least mine is, good luck.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: dwardo on August 10, 2013, 03:46:20 am
I have tried to split hawthorne twice and both times disaster.
Never had a problem splitting any other wood before.
I would saw it if you can.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: Del the cat on August 10, 2013, 04:48:39 am
One of the big advantages of sawing is that you can saw through the worst knots, they then dissapear off the edge of the stave once it's roughed out.
Splitting can/will wander off round the knots.
Splitting is more primitive quicker, more fun, but I save it for easilly obtainable wood that splits well like Hazel and Ash
Del
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: bow101 on August 10, 2013, 02:59:04 pm
I would do it the way you got it drawn and then splice the thick ends together for the handle. How long is it? Howevr, it may not make a difference in the world how you do it. Probably can make a bow either way, just try to keep the knots off the sides of the bow.

Its 74" .. Only thing I have no tools for doing a proper splice.. ::)  Probably go with what others say and that is to cut it, instead of splitting it.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: dbb on August 10, 2013, 11:14:48 pm
You dont need much to make a splice,i made a pretty good one with a cheap fine toothed japanese saw.
Just be careful and take your time.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: bow101 on August 10, 2013, 11:27:57 pm
Lol....... broke almost every tooth in my Lee Valley japanese saw.
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: Joec123able on August 11, 2013, 12:05:39 am
I'd just split it and make a bow knots usually aren't a problem
Title: Re: Stave experts
Post by: BowSlayer on August 11, 2013, 04:19:08 am
I recently got a stave with a few knots in it that im going to try and make into a bow. My advice is keep the three small knots on the centre of the middle of the limbs and not of to one side