heat bending Osage question

[dogwood3]

To all you heat bending experts:

I am building an osage longbow according to the old formula: 1and 1/4" wide and 6' long tip to tip.  As of yet it is roughed out, and I have not begun tillering.  One end, beginning about 10 inches from the tip, naturally recurves about two inches.  I'm considering using heat to recurve the other end to match.

Is it worth the trouble, or will it simply gradually pull out after tillering? 

John Moody (Dogwood3)

[George Tsoukalas]

Well, what is your length? Your stave seems too  long. Jawge

[PeteC]

No,it wont pull out if you have enough wood that the curve will be static.Just use dry heat,protecting the area to heat with veggie oil,or bacon drippings. I'd trace around the existing recurve on a piece of paper,then slowly heat, I use a heat gun,(be careful not to scorch the stave,) the other end, with some weights,(dont over do it,a few pounds is good). and let gravity help you out,work a small section at a time,SLOWLY, until your curve matches the other end.Make it fit in the traced drawing.  Oh,I'm no expert, ;JMHO God Bless

[dogwood3]

George,

My stave is a beautiful, clean, and straight 72 inches.  I usually make my osage longbows 66", but I'm curious about the longer bow described by Howard Hill in "H the H Way" and Maurice Thompson in "the W. of A".   If its a good shooter fine, and if not, I can always shorten it.  Has anyone had experience with these longer bows?

John Moody (Dogwood)

[Buckeye Guy]

Go for it , you will love it !!