First bow from stave

[swimbill]

Started working this stave over the weekend.  Chasing a ring sounds easier than it really is.  The stave has a dogleg and a littler propeller twist, should be fun.








Started to chase the ring
I will post more as this bow progresses
Swimbill

[Joec123able]

Looks like it has tight rings. If chasing a ring goes smoothly its kinda fun to me.

[DarkSoul]

If you reduce the stave first to near final width layout, you'll have less width to ring chase. No need for ring chasing the entire four inch wide back near the ends, if you eventually need only ½" wide tips there.

Looks like a nice osage (?) stave though.

[swimbill]

Yes it is osage and I will cut it down to a roughed out shape.  thanks for the tip.
Swimbill

[Josh B]

Looking good so far Bill!  I wouldn't cut it to shape just yet.  Just because the top ring's grain is running true doesn't mean all the rings are.  The next few rings down could be running out, snaky or who knows what.  I always chase the ring I want and then cut the profile to match the grain of that particular ring.  You wouldn't be happy if you cut it out first only to find the ring you want has grain run out.  I'm sure I'm not the only one that has made that mistake.  Josh

[PEARL DRUMS]

Whew them are some mega tight rings.....take your time and use a scraper and sandpaper. It wont take much to crack into the next ring down. Ive done as Josh mentioned. Figure if I rough the profile out I will have less surface area. The problem lies in how many rings it finally takes to get a good back. What happens if you have to go down 4,5 or 6 rings and suddenly the bow is thin? Been there myself. Get a good back first and foremost.

[SLIMBOB]

Agree with Gun Doc.  I don't reduce the width yet.  More than one way to skin a cat, so not saying Dark Soul is wrong by any means.  Just saying that "many's the slip twixt the cup and the lip".  Lot's of ground to cover, so keep it wide and then decide the lay out once it's pristine on the back.

[swimbill]

Thanks for the advice, should I reseal the back after scraping it down?  I do not want it to check.
Swimbill

[coaster500]

Chasing a ring isn't my favorite part but that looks like a very nice stave

[SLIMBOB]

Yep.  Reseal it or it could check on you, "dry" or not.

Love chasing rings on Osage, but that's just me.  Those tight rings are a challenge for sure, just take your time, especially around any knots, or divots.

[Bryce]

Chasing rings is fun!

[DarkSoul]

If you reduce the stave first to NEARfinal width layout, you'll have less width to ring chase. No need for ring chasing the entire four inch wide back near the ends, if you eventually need only ½" wide tips there.

I should have emphasized the 'near' part. I leave the stave full thickness at that point, and leave it at least ¼" wider on either side. This will greatly help in speedy and efficient ring chasing, without the risk of running out of wood in the end.