Stave questions

[Ross.m.]

Just cut a hickory stave today. I cut a 12 foot piece in half and then split one of the two pieces. The split went kind of weird, I got one really small piece and one large piece. This is the small piece.

View from top:

View from bottom:

The weird split gave me a very small stave, but I planned on making a pyramid, so the one thin end isn't as much of a problem.
The stave in total is about 56 inches in total.

There are also some pretty big knots I'll have to work through. Is it a lost cause? Any tips as to how I should proceed?(first time making a bow)

[bubbles]

56 is on the shorter side for whitewoods.  I would recommend a bendy handle short bow. 1.5" wide most of its length and probably heat treat the belly.   Other with more experience will weight in I'm sure.

[Ross.m.]

So more of a flat bow than a pyramid?

[JonW]

56" is perfect for a short bendy pyramid. Keep all the width you can.

[Ross.m.]

How do you make a bend in the handle as opposed to no bend? Tiller differently?

[JonW]

Maybe this helps

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,34977.0.html

[bubbles]

Bendy handle bend for the entire length of the bow, while stiff handles have an (usually) 8" length which is completely unbending,(much thicker than the workinglimb) usually with a grip carved in and a cut in shelf.  Do a search on the site for bendy handle and stiff handle

[Ross.m.]

That's exactly what I was looking for Jon! Any special tricks you used for that bow in particular?

[JonW]

No special tricks. Hickory likes a good heat treating.

[Ross.m.]

Do I need to chase rings with a hickory ?

[bubbles]

Nope. That looks like the back of your bow right there in the picture. Unless its got some big gouges or scratches, that outer ring is the back of your bow.

[Ross.m.]

It does have some knots on the back. It is my understanding that if I leave them they will not be a weak point, right?

[huisme]

You might leave the knots a little bit stiff, but what's really important is that you follow the grain around them and don't cut through them. I've worked some ridiculous knots in my black locust and vine maple, the consistent performers are the ones where I played it safe and worked things down slowly.

[Ross.m.]

Are these cracks too big? Can I still use this stave?

[Pat B]

Seal the ends and you will prevent those checks. They are drying cracks and run with the grain.
 On your next long "pole" cut it down to bow length before you split it.  On 2" to 3" poles if I know the grain is straight I like to saw them in half lengthwise then bind the two halves back together with spacers between them for good air circulation.  This will prevent warping as they dry.