Author Topic: Backwards Osage. (Read 4065 times)

Pappy · « **on:** March 10, 2010, 06:55:21 am »

Question ,Gary Davis stopped by yesterday on his way to Texas,he had told me he had something different he wanted us to work on on his way back next week.He had 2 Osage stave's for a small
diameter Osage tree.They have the ring chased and 3 layers of sinew on them. The difference is the back is the belly,He chased the belly side.The one he gave me still has the bark on the side facing me on the handle,My question is has any of you guys done this before,I have heard of reverse bows just can't say I ever seen one or how they may act different for any other.Wished I had taken some pictures,I will get some up later.

Pappy

Timo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:40:18 am »

Pappy, Tim Flood used to make backwards bows from hickory at Mojam. As I recall, he tillered the back of the bow. They worked out well and shot great. I've never built one, so can't really help you much.I could see no difference in performance. I always figured it was just something different to make?

looking forward to the pics

GregB · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:57:53 am »

Should be a interesting project. I'll have to watch you two pro's work through it.

DCM4 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:06:47 am »

If you think about it in terms of how ACS works, there could be something too it. Theres bound to be a smidge of concave, or at least flatness to the back, and I've always held the notion osage rings behave as laminates under strain. I'd imagine with care and the right specimen the back ring could be made sound enough, particularly with sinew and in light of Timo's recent experience using quarter or rift sawn osage as a backing. There was a time I would have predicted the back ring would fail, but this could be an interesting project. But the effect, or advantage, may not be so pronounced as to be revealed in a typical design and/or crafting.

sonny · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:32:41 pm »

Tim Baker has said that wood doesn't know which way it's supposed to bend........

Rich Saffold · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:28:44 pm »

I've made some Ipe self and backed longbows with the wood in all angles. I don't think it matters too much as long as the fibers follow the back. The last laminated bow I posted here was composed from two of Timo's edge grained slats glued together. I bet historically it happened more than we would have thought would have.

Pappy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:18:35 am »

Thanks guys,I will let you know how it works,I think it will be about like any other.

Pappy

Pappy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2010, 07:22:04 am »

Plan on working on these Tomorrow,I will update how they turn out,here is a couple of pictures of what we will start with,note the bark on the handle,this is the belly side,also how the grain/growth ring looks different.Should know something by Wed.
Pappy

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Hillbilly · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2010, 12:34:44 pm »

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

yazoo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:01:18 pm »

I cut a bunch of small dia osage last week,,2 to 3 in,, backwards would keep you from glueing handle on,,keep us posted mike

Pappy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:06:50 pm »

Mike You might want to save a few of them small one for Gary,he said he had got to where he really likes the small diameter stuff. I will let yall know how it goes Wed.

Pappy

crooketarrow · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2010, 01:48:59 pm »

I've never did this either but had talked to bowyers who have.EASER TILLERING I was told is the only aqvanage.

jthompson1995 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2010, 02:19:11 pm »

Quote from: crooketarrow on March 15, 2010, 01:48:59 pm

I've never did this either but had talked to bowyers who have.EASER TILLERING I was told is the only aqvanage.

Did they say if there wre any disadvantages?

George Tsoukalas · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2010, 04:11:04 pm »

I've made backwards board bows. Jawge

jturner · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:06:28 pm »

Gary lives a few miles from me and buys quite a bit of osage from me. Those small suckers are his favorite for pony bows. He just called about a week and a half ago and told me he wants some about 4 inch diameter for a project hes working on.

Primitive Archer