Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 08:07:32 am

Title: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 08:07:32 am
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_184556_zps2pvdhagf.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_184556_zps2pvdhagf.jpg.html)
URL=http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_184908_zpses9lbmbs.jpg.html](http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140420_184908_zpses9lbmbs.jpg)[/URL]
Found this down at the lake yesterday. The bark is gone, and there's some visible checks in it, but I think it has some staves in it. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 08:16:12 am
It appears to be about 12"-14" at the base of the main trunk. I am very tempted to harvest it, but hoping someone would chime in with some advise on Osage that has been submerged for a period of time.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Pappy on April 21, 2014, 08:21:12 am
I would almost bet there will be some fine wood in it,it never seems to go bad no matter how long it's been out,if it was bow wood before it probably still is. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 08:23:02 am
Thanks for the reply Pappy.  I may just "acquire" it.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: osage outlaw on April 21, 2014, 11:50:14 am
Give it a try Greg.  I bet there is a good stave in there.  The log that Ozzy's banana bow came from was laying in a creek bed for years.  It wasn't submerged but it was in the water every time it rained.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: blackhawk on April 21, 2014, 12:07:10 pm
Yes please... I'll take it...sold!!! Did ya cut into it and see majical yellow dust to make sure its hedge?
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: osage outlaw on April 21, 2014, 12:40:03 pm
Look at those orange papery roots BH. 
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 01:24:16 pm
Its definitely Osage. Some of the smaller limbs still have thorns on them and there is two more live trees in close proximity. If I can manage to get it, I'll save ya a stave BH.  :)
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Dalton Knapper on April 21, 2014, 01:44:35 pm
I've seen guys use old fence posts that are lord knows how old. That tree you found should be just fine. Also, consider all the cool mallets and other things you can make from the roots (but beware of rocks when sawing).
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Stringman on April 21, 2014, 01:55:22 pm
That's a nice lookin piece of hedge. Cut that bad boy up and drag er home! You got ya some pre seasoned bow kits in the rough!
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 01:58:15 pm
That's a nice lookin piece of hedge. Cut that bad boy up and drag er home! You got ya some pre seasoned bow kits in the rough!
That's what I was thinking!! :)
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: blackhawk on April 21, 2014, 01:59:18 pm
Sweet... :)

Clint I can't see any papery orange on the roots from my phone here..it all looks weathered grey to me....wasn't disputing it wasn't osage as the crown looks like it....jus curious if Greg had cut a small scrap limb to see if its still yellow inside(should be)

And y'all know I've made bows from worse looking osage than that ;)
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: osage outlaw on April 21, 2014, 09:42:50 pm
I bet that has some fat rings in that tree.  It looks like it was a young tree and was growing next to a water source.  So when are you going to get that thing Greg???
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 21, 2014, 10:42:44 pm
Hopefully this week. Love to have it at the Classic.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 21, 2014, 10:47:02 pm
Hopefully this week. Love to have it at the Classic.

Something to hold on to while the creek floods?
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: criveraville on April 21, 2014, 11:14:54 pm
Nice find. Dot IT 8)

Cipriano
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: TRACY on April 21, 2014, 11:17:42 pm
Cut those logs already Greg! >:D

I've seen Osage fence posts that were burned make good bows.

Tracy
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: DavidV on April 22, 2014, 01:03:34 am
I bet that wood is hard and heavy being submerged like that. Be cool to see stuff made out of it.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Eric Krewson on April 22, 2014, 01:33:43 pm
Looks like fine osage but you guys already know my take on such things; Get permission to "acquire" it before you haul it off or you are  just stealing wood.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 22, 2014, 02:04:41 pm
Hopefully this week. Love to have it at the Classic.

Something to hold on to while the creek floods?
That might come in handy!!
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Gsulfridge on April 22, 2014, 11:06:06 pm
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y406/Gsulfridge/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140422_210716_zpshjtkxnhk.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Gsulfridge/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/20140422_210716_zpshjtkxnhk.jpg.html)
Looks like pretty good stuff. Ratio gets good below the checks. Medium rings.  Little to no twist. One large knot on the bottom, but got 4 straight, clean staves and some character staves for some adventurous person. Good haul.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: osage outlaw on April 22, 2014, 11:09:01 pm
That is some beautiful stuff right there.  Good job Greg!
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 22, 2014, 11:26:54 pm
I think you got something valuable there!  Good on you for salvaging this one!
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: stickbender on April 23, 2014, 12:21:49 am

     And you had to think about it?!!! :o :o  The worst you could have gotten was some pretty darn nice mallets, handles, etc. and even just plain ol great fire wood!


                                                                             Wayne
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 23, 2014, 12:39:57 am
Brings to mind a conversation had back years ago in here about curing staves underwater for long periods of time.  I don't want to stir the pot, but it would be interesting to give it a try. 
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: stickbender on April 23, 2014, 01:11:20 am
Brings to mind a conversation had back years ago in here about curing staves underwater for long periods of time.  I don't want to stir the pot, but it would be interesting to give it a try.

     There was an article on curing staves in salt water, either here, or in another primitive magazine.  Osage is supposed to be like black locust, in terms of rot resistance.


                                                                                Wayne
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: blackhawk on April 23, 2014, 08:16:33 am
Atta boy!!!  8) thatll work!!!  :D
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: mullet on April 23, 2014, 08:41:44 am
Brings to mind a conversation had back years ago in here about curing staves underwater for long periods of time.  I don't want to stir the pot, but it would be interesting to give it a try.

     There was an article on curing staves in salt water, either here, or in another primitive magazine.  Osage is supposed to be like black locust, in terms of rot resistance.


                                                                                Wayne
It was here and buffalo urine was part of the curing process. ::)
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Josh B on April 23, 2014, 08:44:40 am
That looks like some primo stuff to me!  Good haul!  Josh
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: BOWMAN53 on April 23, 2014, 01:27:20 pm
nice
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Wiley on April 24, 2014, 12:23:31 am
That end-grain is a thing of beauty.

Not so sure about bow wood being submerged but if any wood can handle it, osage would be one of them that would. Most wood that is still intact after sitting under water for a long time is worth more than wood from the same species.

Glad you got some nice staves out of it.
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: soy on April 25, 2014, 06:40:35 pm
NICE!
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Blaflair2 on April 26, 2014, 01:03:58 am
Sinker cypress and heart pine are pulled from the bottoms of lakes a bayous. Supposed to pick up color from the minerals and stuff. I believe most wood does not rot when fully submerged for along time underwater. There's some chemical reaction that takes place
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 26, 2014, 01:08:27 pm
The wood preserves if it is covered with a layer of silt or if the depths are extreme.  Lack of oxygen helps slow the process of decay. 
Title: Re: Drift wood osage
Post by: Ozzy on April 26, 2014, 06:27:24 pm
That's some good looking stuff right there Greg