Old Question about Osage Sapwood: Pics of Stave added (Fixed)

[Almostpighunter]

I know this question has been asked before as I have done a search on the subject, but the discussions seemed to flip flop on the answers. Basically what I can put together is that it is possible to use the osage sapwood as a backing, but there seem to be some questions as to whether this is a good idea. Can anyone list off the pros and cons?

I currently have a stave with a bunch of crevices that are running vertically up the limbs. Very cool looking. I have a done some meticulous scraping to get something close to a single growth ring out of the sapwood, but there are a couple of violations. The rings are really thin and the idea of starting over and attacking the next growth ring down is... disheartening, but I am willing.

Is there a benefit to keeping the sapwood or am I better off saving myself the time and backing with sinew over the sapwood instead?

p.s.: The sapwood seems to have pulled the stave into a wonderful reflex curve. Very cool!

[bowmo]

For me, the only reason to include the sapwood is if you have to because there's not enough meat in the stave otherwise. And it would have to be a controlled environment seasoning of the wood. To me it seems like backing good wood with less good wood, where as it's the other way around in the glue up world for the most part.

So pro: if the sapwood it rot and bug free you can make a high weight bow from a stave that other wise wouldn't have enough wood to do so.

Con: it's kiiiiiinda like backing oak with pine. Ok, not even close to that bad, but you get the idea...

[mikekeswick]

I'd keep chasing!

[George Tsoukalas]

There are no pros...only cons.
I've left sapwood when I have not had enough heartwood on both black locust and osage. Jawge

[Pat B]

I've left osage sapwood on a stave for aesthetic reasons but I was sure the sapwood is sound and in good health. It doesn't sound like your stave has sound sapwood.

[sleek]

I leave it on all the time. I found out as a result sapwood makes a fine back........ IF!!!!!!!! the sapwood has not suffered any deterioration.  For example, left outside in rain for a period of time while curing.  I had one break and thats why, sapwood was jeopardized by poor climate. If its cut and stored indoors then I see NO reason to remove it at all. If its questionable for any reason remove it, just because thats safest. 

[Almostpighunter]

Ok, Thanks All!!! Very helpful!
May not have enough wood after removing the sapwood so I may try backin over the sapwood with sinew. Any thoughts on this??

[sleek]

Done that too. Works real good.

[Pat B]

Why don't you post pics of the stave so we can make a more educated guess.

[Almostpighunter]

Ok, I'll post some up tonight

[lebhuntfish]

Mike, I've worked with a couple of sleeks sapwood bows. I have one that he has floor tillered right now that I'm going to flip the tips and apply sinew to. I was skeptical at first but now if I was in your situation I would leave the sapwood on. As long as I knew how it was taken care of before I got it. JMO, Patrick

[sleek]

Yeah, I wanna see that when you're done brother....

Sapwood is designed to take tension loads. It grows on the outside of the tree where the tension loads are to start with. Trees basically back themselves with sapwood, so I dont mess with natural perfection.

[Almostpighunter]

pics

[Almostpighunter]

More specific pics

[Pat B]

Get it bending and see what happens. I wouldn't waste a sinew backing on it but I would use it as a learning tool by making the best bow you can from it. You'll be amazed what a stave like this will teach you.