Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on January 25, 2015, 06:41:36 am

Title: Straighten or bin?
Post by: stuckinthemud on January 25, 2015, 06:41:36 am
I just split a hazel stave i cut a month ago, it is clean and straight and it has a 90 degree propeller twist along its 80 inch length, so should I rough tiller then straighten it, or consign it to the log pile and start again?
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: Benedikt on January 25, 2015, 07:24:24 am
Just cut out the bow like you would do with an untwisted stave. Theres no harm, if hazel is a little twisted.
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: Del the cat on January 25, 2015, 09:24:49 am
Just cut out the bow like you would do with an untwisted stave. Theres no harm, if hazel is a little twisted.
+1
Or use heat to untwist once roughed out. It responds well to heat.
Del
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: simson on January 25, 2015, 12:06:27 pm
Just cut 10 new ones. You just loose a month time. Hazel is everywhere.
If it is sapling let it first cure in the bark or clamp the splitted half on a 2/4.
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: wizardgoat on January 25, 2015, 02:02:26 pm
Just hatchet it next time. Don't try to split it
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: stuckinthemud on January 25, 2015, 04:41:23 pm
So why split any stave? I am really new to this, so I thought we split staves to follow the run of the grain? Surely roughing out without cleaving will result in a certain amount of cutting across the grain? Is this bad or just less desirable or just more work than cleaving?
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: Benedikt on January 25, 2015, 04:48:10 pm
Only split if its thicker than 5", otherwise cut off the bad side.

Never split Hazel, 95% are twisted, saw it or cut it down.
Title: Re: Straighten or bin?
Post by: vinemaplebows on January 25, 2015, 05:46:30 pm
Just hatchet it next time. Don't try to split it

Bingo, we have a winner! ;)