black locust question

[Dave 55]

Was wondering on black locust if you use the back with sapwood removed or take it down to one continuos ring,any info would be appreciated,thanks Dave.

[DanaM]

Usually you remove the sapwood and chase a ring, but I believe a few people have left some sapwood.

[Pat B]

Generally with locust you want to remove the sapwood and chase to a good heartwood ring. As Dana said some folks have left some of the sapwood on the bow but if you do you need to be certain the sapwood is sound and has no rot in it. If you cut the tree yourself and have handled it correctly, you could use the sapwood on the back. Most don't.   Pat

[Dave 55]

Thanks for the info guys its appreciated.

[richpierce]

It can look really pretty if you leave the sapwood on.

[George Tsoukalas]

Take it off if you have enough heartwood. If you don't then go as close to the heartwood as possible as the sapwood is stronger. Jawge

[El Destructo]

                                                                           

[ricktrojanowski]

I have a couple of B.L. staves that I chased to the first good heartwood ring.  I thought that you had to get to heartwood.  But Woodland Roamer posted a B.L. bow with the sapwood on.  It looks like it came out really nice.  The contrast of the sapwood to heartwood looks good as well.

[Pat B]

Rick, It really depends on how the stave was handled since the tree was cut. Locust sapwood will rot and that would make it too weak to use.    I have a locust stave that Alan(Woodland Roamer) gave me last summer. I would trust the sapwood on it because I'm sure Alan treated the wood right after he harvested it.