Opinions on Osage Stave- 1st Osage Done!

[Parnell]

Hi Gang,

Well, I've been working on straightening out this stave.  It was Crooked and had a bit of twist, but I've got it to a pretty good point.  Needs maybe a little more fussing over.  Currently it's at 64" and wouldn't mind bringing it down another couple of inches.  I'm looking for about 55#.  I'm wondering about the kink in the one limb.  Everything is sound with the bow, but I'd really like to try a recurve and I'd like to get some opinions on whether this is or isn't a stave to give it a go with considering this mid-limb "kink".  Currently it's at ground tiller.

Opinions?

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[Josh]

I think a recurve is totally possible with that stave, we're talkin 27-28" draw right?  That kink is gonna be tricky to tiller around, but as long as you make it share in the workload like the wood around it I don't think it will be too difficult.  I would make either really short recurves or I would just flip the tips up a little bit if it were mine.  Good luck on your bow!   

[mullet]

 Ohhh, yea, I'd bend it up some. Just take your time and make the kink work with the limb like Josh said. I'd keep a lot of heat away from that kink also, and just live with it.

[Parnell]

Here is a bit more work on this bow.  I shortened the bow up more than I was originally looking to.  When flipping the tips, there was a little pin knot that crushed on me, so I took it out.  This bow is now 58" ntn.  The bottom limb will be the one with the kink and needed to make that one inch shorter than the top.  Here is a picture at low brace and on the tree to 16". 

I want to get this one right so please, throw in your opinion on where it should go!

Thanks,

Parnell

P.s. Was wondering how many people heat treat osage bellies?  I've been doing it with the white woods, but haven't yet on this osage.  Don't see a lot of people saying they do...

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[walkabout]

looks pretty cool. with a bow that short be sure you go slowly and get all of the limb you can working doing its fair share. also you might have some trouble getting it to draw 28', unless you make the handle bend. someone who knows better might chime in, but from everything ive built getting a draw thats that close to half the bow length is tough.

[George Tsoukalas]

Both limbs need to bend more from mid limb on. Jawge

[Parnell]

This stave is deflexed naturally out of the handle, so, I'm confident it can go to 27-28" for my full draw.  More to come...

[Parnell]

This is 40#@20".  Anybody want to comment?

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