question about osage

[wasanchez]

Hey everybody,

I'm new to the forum and to bow building as well so I'm pretty green to all of this.  I built my first bow out of cedar about a month just to see if I could and now I'm hooked.  Today I took a limb from an osage about 3 inches across and sealed the ends.  I am planning on letting it dry until September or October so I can have it ready for bow season(hopefully).  My question is should I split it now or would it be better to wait until then to split it.  Also any tips for working this wood would be appreciated, I have read that it can be difficult for beginners. 

Thanks

Walt

[Bevan R.]

If you are wanting to use the Osage to hunt with this year, I would suggest roughing out the stave as soon as you can, spray it with shelac then let it set under your bed for a couple of months. It should be dry enough then.

[Pat B]

What Bevan said! 

[gstoneberg]

I agree too.  I think osage is a great wood for beginners.  Most of the time you'll use just the heartwood with osage, but a limb that narrow may or may not have enough heartwood for a bow done that way.  If there's not much heartwood, you might want to consider just carefully removing the bark and letting the outside be the bow back like you would with a white wood like hickory.  Osage does like to split so take Bevan's advice to seal it seriously.

Good luck,
George

[osage outlaw]

If it is from a limb, it might start warping or twisting after you split it and rough it out.  Keep an eye on it.  You might have to strap it to a 2x4 or something to help keep it straight.

[wasanchez]

Thanks I was planning on that because has a slight bend in it.  I'll rough it out this weekend.  Thanks for help.

Walt

[wasanchez]

Also anyone know  where I can get a good, reasonably priced draw knife? 

[DarkSoul]

What part of the world do you live?

[wasanchez]

Moulton, Texas

[gstoneberg]

Nice, down in real good hog country.  Love to see another Texan on the forum.  I got both my draw knives from flea markets.

George

[Pat B]

Walt, ask on the "Trading Post". It won't cost you a penny there but you will probably have to trade something for it. 

[osage outlaw]

Also check antique stores.  Look for solid handles and no pitting on the blade.