Which ring to chase

[kylerprochaska]

Just want some opinions on which ring to chase for the back of my next bow...Im planning on recurving the tips.  It will be 60" long with a slightly deflexed handle.  Im going to be shooting for 50-60@28"...Thanks in advance

Ky

[Josh]

well what kind of wood is it?  If it is osage, you want a thick, late growth ring underneath the bark and white sapwood.  If it is a white wood like maple, hickory, or hophornbeam, you can just peel the bark and that will be the back of your bow.   -josh

[kylerprochaska]

  Sorry I was having trouble loading my pictures and yes it is osage

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[Dano]

I'd skip all those skinny ones. What's the other end look like?

[Josh]

yeah that's the ring I'd pick, too.  I have tried chasing thinner rings before and it really will make you wanna throw your stave across the room when you get 95% of your stave done and then accidently cut through the ring you're chasing and have to chase it all the way back in the other direction.      <<<speaking from experience.    -josh

[DanaM]

Thats some ugly osage better send it to me

Go for the first thick one

[Josh]

Oh yeah what was your nickname at the last Tennessee Classic DanaM?   Something to do with wood if I remember correctly?

[DanaM]

Da Wood Whore, but I'm also a Rock Whore Most just call me the Damn Yooper

[Justin Snyder]

I would chase the first complete ring. It is good practice and if you cut through you can chase the next. The problem with going down too far is that if you cut through the ring a couple of times you don't have enough wood left for a bow.

[burn em up chuck]

practice,practice,go for instinct(aprox. 1500 reps)

                                        chuck

[kylerprochaska]

Thanks guys...just thought I would get some second opinions, Dano to answer your question the other end looks almost identical to this one....the only bad part is that all those skinny rings equal to almost an inch of wood I have to remove before I can chase that ring....but I guess that's why we have 24 hours in a day 

Ky

[Del the cat]

Thanks guys...just thought I would get some second opinions, Dano to answer your question the other end looks almost identical to this one....the only bad part is that all those skinny rings equal to almost an inch of wood I have to remove before I can chase that ring....but I guess that's why we have 24 hours in a day 

Ky

Whoa, If you are going to remove nearly 1", that's a bow's worth, Tke off 90% on a bandsaw and youve got another stave to play with, or make a miniature bow with those nice fine rings... Or E-mail the offcut stave to be...drat they havn't invented that facility yet
Del

[GregB]

I'd split off the belly split by putting your wedge in parallel a couple rings above your choice thick ring. Then split the log full length. You'll probably be able to make a bow or two with the left over top section, although maybe not of as good a quality. We've done this several times before...

[Pat B]

I'm with Greg!  I hate wasting wood.

[Dano]

Here's an idea, Take Greg's advice and take a belly split at the point I marked. Use the thin ringed stuff later when you feel more comfortable chasing thin rings, you'll prolly get a fine D bow out of it. I usually start a belly split with a good sized standard screwdriver and a hammer then follow it up with some small wedges.