Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: osage outlaw on May 05, 2015, 11:51:33 pm
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I've been talking about this for a while and I think I'm finally ready to do it. I'm going to try and go a year without using osage to make a bow :o I've traded and been given a fair amount of other wood types. I went through them tonight and randomly listed them. I had Bubby pick a number and he chose Vine Maple. I'm going to look it over tomorrow and see if I can figure out what kind of bow is hiding in it.
I seem to always grab a piece of osage when I start a new bow. I would like to experiment with other types and I think this is the best way to do it. I'm hoping to learn and become a better bowyer during the next 12 months.
I got an osage bow shooting at the Classic. I'm going to lighten in and finish it up for my niece. After that I'm going cold turkey :'(
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Any advice on Vine Maple would be appreciated
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Let me know when you get to HHB, with vine maple your guess is as good as mine.
I'm working with my first piece of mountain ash. It tools more like cedar or yew than ash. Easy on the arms anyway. Hopefully it performs like yew.
I love trying new wood types. It's how to determine ones favorites. Good Luck.
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I've used HHB several times before and really like it. So far its #2 on my favorite list.
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I have a couple yew bows in the works. I actually found some wild trees this year. In my area that's pretty rare. It's the Canadian species, but it's just as good from what I've read. I certainly like the two tone look so far, and it heat bends like butter. It feels so light compared to everything else I've used, makes me a little nervous.
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I'm in PA by the way, not the Dakotas(not anymore :()
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Good luck with that Clint... I don't know if there is a twelve step program for this or not, but I would need one. :D Maybe that pecan will soften the blow. No osage for a year? I think that could do permanent damage to you brother!
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That sounds like a brave and selfless act you are undertaking for the betterment of Bowyery- best of lucK! :)
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Better be careful, you may find yourself liking all that other stuff. Its damn nice not ripping bark and 1/2" thick sapwood off osage. Not to mention when you run your tools over the other woods, wood actually is removed!
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No yellow dust for a year? This will be interesting. I can't help you with those western woods, but I'd like to see a bow from that pecan. If you get withdrawals just pull out a mulberry or black locust stave until urge subsides ;D Good luck and can't wait to see what you make Clint .
Tracy
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Howard, I'm going to let that pecan season for a while before I work it. When was it cut again? I'll write it on the staves.
Sieddy, thanks.
Pearly, I'll still be ripping plenty of bark and sapwood ;)
Tracy, Black locust is on my list but the mulberry will need to season for a while
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Bout time ya do this....it will make you a better bowyer,n when ya come back to the osage(if ya ever do..haha) you'll make a better osage bow, and come to appreciate it more. My only advice is to make sure you get the tiller as close to nuts as possible BEFORE ya even brace it. The other woods aren't as tolerant to tillering mistakes,and even the small mistakes can make the difference between a spongey limbed poor cast bow and a fast snappy limbed bow.
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Trying different woods is part of the fun in bow making I think. I was given a pecan stave from Howard at the classic, something I haven't used before so I'm anxious to tear into it. You will probably enjoy working with the variety of woods and different bow designs for each Clint, should be a fun year for ya buddy.
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That pecan was cut April 21. It is very green. I would rough one of them out and throw it in a hot box. Seasoned wood is a premium thing with osage, but I don't think it matters much with white woods like pecan. Some folks may feel differently about that, but I haven't noticed that it makes much difference, as long as you get the moisture content down. I can't wait to see what you make out of them.
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I like to mix it up, in the last few weeks I have made a red oak, a pecan, a hickory backed mystery wood, and 1 osage. I think Chris said it very well even though I never thought about it like that. You won't make it a year I guarantee. Not if you have osage sitting around.
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Try hickory too. It is pretty tough. Jawge
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But.... but..... WHY¿
Seriously, I used to make bows out of as many different types of recognized, and a few unrecognized, bow woods as I could get my hands on, and it made me a better bowyer I suppose, but nowadays, even though I have a bundle of bows started with other decent bow woods, I just cant seem to turn my back on the osage and yew long enough to finish them.
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I made a hackberry bow a couple years ago and love it. It is some really good stuff as long as you do a deep heat treatment. It looks real pretty too, especially with some cambium on the back. If I had to go without osage, it would be my choice of wood, at least because of where I live and that it grows everywhere around here.
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you'll have to change your name to No-sage outlaw
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Clintster, I have a seasoned pignut hickory for you. The bark fell off and what's left is a textured back. Not sure if you saw the pair I had at the Classic but I'll give one to you at Marshall, if you're interested.
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Thanks Howard. I'll put the date on them.
Badger, I have osage sitting around but I'm determined to leave it alone for the next year. I'm sure I'll find some other projects besides bows to use some osage.
George and Jimmy, Hickory and Hackberry are on my list. I have a primo piece of hackberry that I want to steam in some recurves.
Bubbles, very funny.
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Matt, I don't have any pignut hickory so that would be great. I have some shagbark and I've made a few bows from it in the past. Is there anything I can trade you for it?
Here is the piece of vine maple that I'll be using. I've never worked with it before. Is this piece big enough for two bows? If it was osage I know there would be two in it. How wide do I need to make the limbs?
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Mobile%20Uploads/20150506_103604.jpg)
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I have always treated vine maple about the same as hickory. I think Gordon might be one of the most experienced with it here.
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Temptation will likely get the best of you. Bring all that osage to Marshall and I'll do ya a favor ..... get it outta your sight/hands!
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No trade, Clint.
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Thanks Matt. See you in a few weeks.
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Matt, I don't have any pignut hickory so that would be great. I have some shagbark and I've made a few bows from it in the past. Is there anything I can trade you for it?
Here is the piece of vine maple that I'll be using. I've never worked with it before. Is this piece big enough for two bows? If it was osage I know there would be two in it. How wide do I need to make the limbs?
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Mobile%20Uploads/20150506_103604.jpg)
ONE BOW.
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I'll hold your Osage in the mean time so you aren't tempted :laugh: that vine maple looks nice interested to see that. I finished my first hunting weight bow from that piece of osage you sent me. I will post some pics here soon.
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Sounds like a fun, self-inflicted challenge. :) Cant wait to see the nice white bows you turn out. Do you still have some yew?
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I'm pumped to see some of your wite wood work Clint.
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Thanks VMB. I'll stick with one bow down the center
Alwayslookin, Glad you got a bow from it. Looking forward to seeing it posted.
Carson, I have yew.
Matt, Thanks. I'm excited to see what I can do with some of these new bow woods.
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Hey Clint, don't forget to try an Elm sapling...a tiny little sapling...and make it short too. >:D
Saplings are awesome!
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Hey Clint, don't forget to try an Elm sapling...a tiny little sapling...and make it short too. >:D
Saplings are awesome!
I had an elm sapling but I couldn't find it today. I'll dig a little deeper in my stash on my next day off. I sure did like that bow you were shooting at the Classic. You were lethal with that thing. I hope you post a picture of it laying across a hog.
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Clint, I don't think I could go a year without working yew! In my experiences with vine maple, it doesn't need to be over 1 3/4" for around 50#. It's for sure a heavy hitter wood, capable of high weights.
Can't wait to see what you do with that yew stave
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No Osage for a year!? That sounds like an awful punishment. I'm sure you will be a better bowyer because of it though. Best of luck to you
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I had an elm sapling but I couldn't find it today. I'll dig a little deeper in my stash on my next day off. I sure did like that bow you were shooting at the Classic. You were lethal with that thing. I hope you post a picture of it laying across a hog.
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Must be rough having a stash so big you can misplace a stave lol.. Oh the woes of apartment living.
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I haven't had osage for almost a year already. >:D
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Good luck with out using any sage. Can't wait till moon tree next year to see what you roll in there with to work on. Just landed a farm full of Osage me and Marcus is allowed to cut all we want!
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No bodark for a year... Like sayin no "secks" for a year! What earthly benefit does that bring?!? I know absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I pity the first osage you fondle after your sabbatical!!
I admire your courage sir! You're a stronger man than I.
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No bodark for a year... Like sayin no "secks" for a year! What earthly benefit does that bring?!? I know absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I pity the first osage you fondle after your sabbatical!!
I admire your courage sir! You're a stronger man than I.
Haaa haa ha! Well said Scott. :o
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Clint it's still an addiction even with a year break. ;)
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Wizard Goat, I'll be bringing a piece of vine maple and a yew stave to Marshall. Hope you guys can make it. I'll be needing lots of help.
Stringman, I have been building a decent stash of non osage. I always grab a yellow stick when its time to make a bow. I'm forcing myself to try different species this way. I'm sure it will help me out one way or another. You are probably right about that first osage bow after a year. It will probably be like prom night all over again ;D
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Do you have to wear a Monk's Habit or a chastity belt for the whole year too?
OneBow
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I sure hope not!
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Should we start placing bets on when (or) if the Outlaw will cave in, after all outlaws have no respect for rules or laws. ;D
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Should we start placing bets on when (or) if the Outlaw will cave in, after all outlaws have no respect for rules or laws. ;D
Yeah, like giving birth...... ;D I'll take "Sept 1" just before hunting season.... ;D ;D
DBar
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Clint will just become a closet osage guy. Only working the gold stuff in dark corners and alleyways. "Just a few scraps man. Just a few tiny pulls with a drawknife." I can picture it now.
I'll take October if we are keeping track. Lol
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Clint will be fine as long as he doesn't promise not to buy more draw knifes >:D
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You guys have no faith in me ::) I'm determined to do it. Next year at the Classic I'll have something different to work on. As soon as I get home its Osage time ;D That's my goal. No osage bows until after next years Classic.
I still have a lot of osage bark and sapwood to remove so I'm still going to be working on it some. I'm just not going to build any bows with it. I might have to cut an osage tree or two next winter to ;)
I had somebody draw another number off my list and he picked Yew. I was hoping to build up to that one. I wanted to have two options to work on at Marshall.