Author Topic: Recurve ??? (Read 3453 times)

J05H · « **on:** September 23, 2009, 02:58:06 am »

I just bought this stave from Le Enterprises on ebay. It's 58" Osage. How well do you guys think it will work as a rigid handle recurve? I'm thinking rather short recurves but a moderate angle. Something like 3" @ 60 degrees. It's 1 3/8" to 2 1/2" wide according to the description. It looks like it's over 2" for most of the stave, except for the last 6 or 8 inches on the small end. I would like to leave it unbacked if I can. I'm aiming for 45# @ 26". Here are some pics of the stave.

Thanks, Josh

Del the cat · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2009, 03:42:57 am »

Nice lookin' stave. No experience of Osage, but it seems a tad short, I think you'd need to keep the handle length down to a minimum, or let it work in the handle.
I've never tried Osage, so feel free to mock and deride this post!
Del

Pappy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2009, 05:12:13 am »

I personally don't think I would use it,you need prime Osage for a recurve and even that one ant bad it ant prime either,the ratio between winter and summer growth it not great.It would make a good straight bow for the weight and draw you want. Ryan and some of the other Recurve guys will chime in I am sure.

jmo

Pappy

Dano · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2009, 10:25:25 am »

The one and only recurve I made was with prime osage that Timo had given me. The bow was 66" long, made a good curve. In the picture of the stave, it appears that there is a knot near where the curves would start, don't think that will help ya much. Like Pappy said the stave ain't prime, but it'll make a decent bow, I wouldn't push it.

J05H · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:00:44 pm »

Thanks guys. That's what I was looking for. I guess I'll just keep it straight, and recurve another one later.

Dano · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:16:50 pm »

You can always flip the tips a tad, on a short bow you may want to anyhow. Nothing like a longbow with nice gentle curves toward the tips.

PeteC · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2009, 08:20:12 pm »

I agree with Pappy and Dano.Too much early wood.It should do fine as a straight short bow,with slightly flipped tips,with a 26" draw.If your going for a stiff handle,make the fades short with only a few inches of non-bending tips,(where it is flipped). Get every inch of the limbs,from fade to flip, working evenly.Just my humble opinion. God Bless

J05H · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2009, 03:02:25 am »

If I sinew-backed it, could I recurve it and get 45 to 50 @ 28"? I was going to use it to make a bow for a friend, but if I can get it to pull 28 with sinew then I'll just make it for me and get a different stave for his. I've been wanting to make a recurve, but I didn't think this stave would work for me.

Pappy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:39:17 am »

It might hold,but if I were doing a recurve I still would want a prime piece.The only way to find out is try it,I just wouldn't have to high hopes.I would make a nice flat bow and find another piece for the recurve.

Pappy

J05H · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:57:22 am »

Alright then, it's settled. I'll just make a good straight bow. I would really like to try a recurve though. If anyone has a good "prime" piece of osage, let me know and maybe we can work out a trade.

Primitive Archer