thanksgiving osage

[dylanholderman]

well i had a longer post written up but i lost it because of my lousy computer 
so short version. osage billets i got from my uncle over thanksgiving, they have been on the ground for a little over a year. noticeably heavier than the osage i have been using with smaller growth rings, this is the set i will be starting with.


and the whole pile

[bowandarrow473]

Very nice!

[Pat B]

Dylan, a lot of the weight is moisture so get the ends and the back sealed well. It looks like some good osage.

[dylanholderman]

thanks pat will do. i didn't think about moister sense its been down for a year, but it has been out in the elements for a year too

[Pat B]

If it has been laying on bare ground it is drawing moisture not only from the atmosphere but the ground also.

[dylanholderman]

is this bug damage or something else regardless i got past it to a clean ring on both


once i got a ring chased i found that its that lovely reddish osage. the knot on one limb might be something of a pain to clean up we'll see.
 

[sieddy]

Great colour on that wood. I'll look forward to seeing what you make of them. How long will they need to season? 

[Pat B]

Loos like enough wood around that know so it shouldn't be too bad to work around. Might be a bit stiff there when you're done.

[wapiti1997]

Yes, that was bug damage in the sapwood. Seal the ends and the back to avoid checking, I would suggest allowing to dry another year.

[JonW]

Let it dry some more and you can take your draw knife and get under the outermost ring and you can pop that cut off limb right off.

[Aaron H]

If it was out in the elements it is just as wet as a freshly cut tree, if not more.  I would allow at least a year of seasoning before working.

[dylanholderman]

removed some excess wood from the sides and belly, still way to thick to bend.