What should I do with this knot?

[bearbowman]

I was given this piece of osage. I'm in the process of chasing a ring. The knot is right on the edge. I wanted to find out what you guys would do.


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[RidgeRunner]

I would take the knot out.
This means your stave will get narrow where the knot came out.
You may not have enough wood to keep your bow full leingth and have to shorten it several inches.

[Eric Krewson]

If you make your bow 1 1/4" wide with a round belly you can probably cut around this knot and have plenty of wood to make a bow. This is what I would do.

[radius]

man, ur shop is HUGE...my shop is my living room...

[mullet]

 I would take it out, also, since you didn't leave any wood around the outside. That high in the limb, you shouldn't have any problem.

[GregB]

What everyone else has been saying...avoid the knot. Not sure how long your stave is, but if you can start at the other end of the stave for one set of tips, you should be narrow enough due to tapering to avoid the knot. 

[robby]

Bear, It looks to me like your going to make a "character bow" with a lot of sqiggles. Based on that assumption, I would remove the knot, adding some more character, the wood surrounding  is very strong so you should be able to blend it in so it will carry its part of the load. Good luck!
Robby

[bearbowman]

Thanks for all the advice. I will take the knot out. If I can get it to work I think it will be a nice looking bow.

[El Destructo]

that is some of the lightest colored Osage I have ever seen....looks more like Mulberry ....anyhow....like the Greg....Mullet and the rest have said....lay the Bow out where you can work around the Knot....should be fine