Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Cloudfeather on November 18, 2014, 07:20:58 pm

Title: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 18, 2014, 07:20:58 pm
I've been cleaning these staves from my Osage haul and am wondering if there is a better way. The first was done with draw knife only, no thanks lol. I did a couple by trying to split the outer, rotten/petrified layer off of the staves but this proved somewhat unpredictable. Any suggestions? I don't have access to a big bandsaw. Lol
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Springbuck on November 18, 2014, 07:52:47 pm
If you can see what you are doing, cut some shallow kerfs across the sapwood with a saw, like a pruning saw, every couple inches, and then knock the sections between the saw marks off with a machete or hatchet.  Then work down below the marks with the drawknife.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 18, 2014, 08:23:37 pm
Thought about doing that but haven't attempted it yet, thanks.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: osage outlaw on November 18, 2014, 08:48:22 pm
I've split and used the draw knife just like you have tried already.  It's a lot of work but worth it for some good osage.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: bradsmith2010 on November 18, 2014, 09:00:12 pm
shallow kerfs and hatchet comes to mind,, as stated with be worth the effort,, osage,, no easy way about it,,
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 18, 2014, 09:24:35 pm
Definitely worth it. I've chased rings on a couple. My draw knife is very sharp, once past the outer layer, cuts like butter.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Will H on November 19, 2014, 07:33:04 am
Osage and a draw knife will make a man out of ya.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: blackhawk on November 19, 2014, 08:17:57 am
Osage and a draw knife will make a man out of ya.


+1  ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on November 19, 2014, 10:21:46 am
Osage and a draw knife will make a man out of ya.

+100

We don't all walk around with sore shoulders and elbows for nuttin'!
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Onebowonder on November 19, 2014, 11:28:57 am
Osage and a draw knife will make a man out of ya.

+100

We don't all walk around with sore shoulders and elbows for nuttin'!

So - if i understand correctly - building bows out of petrified OSAGE is a good way to build guns?

OneBow
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: koan on November 19, 2014, 11:35:26 am
Ive built one bow out of that ancient stuff, made an awesome bow. I absolutetly could bot get a drawknife thru and the hatchet just richachede off of it....but a few minutes woth a flap disc grinder and i struck gold, lol... Brian
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Badger on November 19, 2014, 11:54:25 am
  I just ordered a 60 year old stave, supposed the be pretty hard. Looking forward to seeing how it responds to the draw knife. I am wondering if Sled here isn't the guy I ordered it from?
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 19, 2014, 10:35:54 pm
Osage and a draw knife will make a man out of ya.

+100

We don't all walk around with sore shoulders and elbows for nuttin'!

We all know why you have sore shoulders and elbows!  And we are NOT discussing this on the forum.  This is a family site and we do not want impressionable young minds polluted with all this nasty talk about drummers.  >:D
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 19, 2014, 10:43:31 pm
My draw knife makes minced meat out of osage, this petrified shell is not of this earth. I swear. lol
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 19, 2014, 10:50:49 pm
Have you found the elusive Kryptonite stave?
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: paulsemp on November 19, 2014, 11:20:57 pm
A solid vice will go a long way. If it's moving around while you're trying to work it you're losing a lot of energy you are putting into it. For me I get in between the growth rings and give a good yank and I could reduce a osage stave in a matter of minutes with a draw knife. My bench with vise and anvil on it probably weights 600 lbs also. That helps or bolt your bench down so it doesn't move around.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 19, 2014, 11:58:33 pm
This stuff has almost an inch of dry, weathered exterior. It took me about an hour to do one with a draw knife. Not including chasing a ring.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Badger on November 20, 2014, 02:05:34 am
  The sapwood on old osage is a killer, no comparison to a two or three year old stave. I use my bandsaw on them if I run across them anymore.
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: bradsmith2010 on November 20, 2014, 02:10:32 pm
maybe its so bad,, you might start gifting it,, :) :) and get some easy fresh stuff :) :)
Title: Re: Cleaning petrified Osage staves...
Post by: Cloudfeather on November 20, 2014, 05:27:30 pm
Lol, believe me. Once I get through this stuff, I'll be happy to find some fresh osage.