Tips on splitting a curvy Osage log...Pics added

[TimBo]

I am curious about that too - I'm sure I have seen people recommend the larger end.  I usually start from the small end, figuring there is more room for error if there are tearouts or grain jumps, and at least you have a bit more control if you start where there is less material.

[osage outlaw]

You have more wiggle room as the split goes towards the big end.  Sometimes a split will jump to one side or the other.  I would rather start the split on the small end where its more important to determine the size of the splits.  Take this picture for example.  I marked how I wanted to split this piece of osage on the small end.  The staves should only get bigger as they go towards the other end.  If I had marked it on the big end and split it the staves would have gotten smaller as they went down the piece and could possibly be to small for a bow at the small end.  I like to look at the small end and think this is the minimum amount of wood that I have to work with, what can I get out of it.  Hope all that makes sense

[TimBo]

That's a bunch of staves.

[Cloudfeather]

I love splitting it actually. Hard work on my own but very rewarding.

[Buckeye Guy]

What curves ?
Man that thing is strait as an arrow 
Clint has you covered so just follow what he is telling you 

[Aaron H]

Thanks OO, makes perfect sense.

[Springbuck]

In my experience, once you get the split going, it just rolls right down along the grain. I have heard of the run off if you try to split say a third off of a piece though.

Yeah, again not experienced with oasage, but locust, elm, hickory, mulberry,  all want to be split in half.  half a log, half of that, etc..... right through the bullseye on the end of the log.  So taking a good long look, like he's doing, pays off.

[Gaur]

So OO,  Did you get all 6 staves out of that example? 

[osage outlaw]

Yes I did.

[Cloudfeather]

OO, how'd you get those splits to angle in that little bit instead of just going straight across?

[osage outlaw]

I used two hatchet heads to start the split.  I tried to get them to follow the shape of the growth ring going across.

[osage outlaw]

I started them like this.  I tap them in evenly to get it started. 

[Cloudfeather]

From the end I take it? Then come in from both sides as you split along the length?

[osage outlaw]

Yes.

[lebhuntfish]

Very nice Osage, do you think I could do hickory like that? Patrick