Checks on an Osage stave: What can or should I do?

[ajbruggink]

Hey guys,

I was going through one of my collections of bow staves and I noticed some cracks on an Osage stave I have that I don't remember being there before. This stave I got from a trade when I went to the Marshall Rendezvous in 2018. I noted that the bowyer I traded this with wrote on one of the ends that it was cut in March of that year but I didn't put more much thought to it than that. I placed it indoors with some of my other staves. Then, last winter, as I was cleaning the area I store my bow wood, I noticed piles of dust. I investigated all of my staves and found this stave to be the culprit. I had forgotten that wood wasps like Osage. So I had to debark and find all the wood wasp larvae that were drilling holes in this stave with a drawknife. I found them all, killed them, and fortunately I was left with enough wood to build a bow. I placed the stave back with all my other staves. Now, I have noticed these cracks that I think are checks. I have been thinking that maybe its because the wood was cut less than two years ago and may not be that dry but I'm not sure. It was drying and being eaten by wood wasps with the bark on for at least 7 months and then it has been drying with the bark and sapwood removed ever since. So my questions are these: Do you guys think these are checks? If these are checks what can I do about them? The checks are visible from top and bottom but so far they are not in the way of my intended bow design. Your responses are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Aaron
https://imgur.com/JVFhgIN
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[SLIMBOB]

Osage can be years from the stump, and when a new ring is exposed check on you.  Always seal the new back.  I would try and eliminate those if I could.  If not, so long as they dont run off the edge you should be ok.

[Pat B]

First you should take the stave down to one ring on the back. Any check remaining fill with super glue, seal the back and start your build.

[Eric Krewson]

I have had the same thing happen a number of years ago on staves I thought were dry, the backs had been shellacked, I chased a ring to start a bow, leave it for a few days and come back to drying checks.

All my wood has been cut for at least 10 years ago now, none was stored with the bark and sapwood on so I don't have that problem anymore. I still check it with a moisture meter to be sure it is completely dry before I leave the back unsealed.