Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: carpholeo on January 18, 2015, 10:22:30 pm

Title: Fresh cut osage
Post by: carpholeo on January 18, 2015, 10:22:30 pm

So i just cut a nice piece of OO down, which isnt easy to do in S Cal. So now do i split and rough out, or grease the ends and wait?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/r33s33/stuff/osage_zps514756da.jpg)

Its the heartwood thats the good stuff on osage right?

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: Dvshunter on January 18, 2015, 10:39:06 pm

Seal the ends.  Split it and take the bark and white sapwood off and then seal the back. You can work it down to near bow dimensions then and it will dry faster or be patient and just wait it out. Nice log. And it's all good stuff for bows.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: okie64 on January 18, 2015, 10:39:46 pm

You'll get lots of different opinions on this so I'll just tell you what I would do. First and foremost seal the ends, split it in half and then let it sit for a year or so. And yes the heartwood is the good stuff if you have enough wood, if not a ring or 2 of sapwood on the back is fine too.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: Joec123able on January 18, 2015, 11:07:44 pm

Ohh wow what a gorgeous piece of Osage

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: osage outlaw on January 18, 2015, 11:12:17 pm

Quote from: Dvshunter on January 18, 2015, 10:39:06 pm

Seal the ends.  Split it and take the bark and white sapwood off and then seal the back. You can work it down to near bow dimensions then and it will dry faster or be patient and just wait it out. Nice log. And it's all good stuff for bows.

I agree with DVS.  The sapwood is easier to remove when its fresh cut.  I usually put several coats of shellac or polyurethane on to seal up the ends and backs.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: Comancheria on January 18, 2015, 11:18:45 pm

Nice log.  How long is it?

Russ

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: carpholeo on January 19, 2015, 03:12:39 am

Thanks for info, the log is 70" and theres plenty more where that one came from. I think i counted 3 good size trees, but with all the big shoots its hard to tell where one tree stops and another starts.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: Aaron H on January 19, 2015, 07:36:38 am

I didn't realize osage grew in S. California.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: Comancheria on January 19, 2015, 10:05:20 am

From what I have heard, ANYTHING--with the possible exception of Reindeer Lichen-- will grow in Southern California--if it gets a little water.  In the Nineteenth Century, people planted it everywhere.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: carpholeo on January 19, 2015, 11:34:05 am

Im suprised it hasnt been spiked yet by some Habitat Restoration group

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: carpholeo on January 19, 2015, 10:20:50 pm

Got it split and roughing out, i love the color of this wood 
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/r33s33/stuff/rings_zpse47caa00.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/r33s33/stuff/split_zpsc6ff29c5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/r33s33/stuff/belly1_zps070e9714.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/r33s33/stuff/back_zps95ae80c0.jpg)

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: osage outlaw on January 19, 2015, 10:25:26 pm

Oooh  :o  That's a lot of sapwood  :P   Make sure and seal that baby up good or it will check on you.

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: carpholeo on January 20, 2015, 01:41:27 pm

They are usually mostly heartwood?

Title: Re: Fresh cut osage
Post by: osage outlaw on January 20, 2015, 10:11:46 pm

On small diameter pieces like that it can vary.  The thicker the sapwood the more work it takes to remove it.  You can also leave a couple of rings of it on the bow if you want.  I've never done that but I've seen others who have.  Makes a nice color contrast on the bow.