Inside/out staves question

[PeteC]

I have an osage stave(piggy back),that,if built the normal way ,(the outer most good growth ring used as the back of the bow).will be a very difficult build due to wind checks and knots,while, if flipped over,and chasing a ring from the inside/out,should yield a clean stave. Some time ago,I read at least one account of building a bow like this. My question is: How is the bow holding up?Has it (or them) been tested by time?  I can pull off the harder build,but I'm curious,and would rather have a clean back. Sure would appreciate feedback if any of you have done it,or know someone that has. Thanks,    God bless

[osage outlaw]

I think Pappy made a bow like that.  I don't see any reason it wouldn't work.  I plan on trying it out on a stave soon.

[JonW]

I did as you described. I rawhide backed it though so not a "typical" selfbow. It is still shooting. Basically a decrowned stave just from the flipside.

[mikekeswick]

As long as you have unbroken fibers running the length of the back you can make a bow with any grain orientation you want.

[FilipT]

So do you prepare the what would be normally belly to be back of the bow? And how do you prepare fibers, do you cut them so they look like in those "perfect boards" for bows?

[PeteC]

Thanks for replying fellas. My main concern is tension/compression wood orientation.  It may not apply to staves taken from the bole of the tree,(like it does in horizontal limbs),but in my over-complicating mind, I see it as the tension-wood  "on the outside edge" of the growth ring. I'm kinda hoping Pappy will weigh in on this,if he has built them in this manner. Thanks again.    God Bless

[Pat B]

Yeah, Pappy and someone else each built backwards bows a few years ago. I think it worked out well for both.

[JonW]

If you made a bow from a board how would you know which was the outside and which was the inside? Doesn't matter. But hey I'm not Pappy....

No offense Pappy

[mullet]

Yea, pappy and Gary Davis built a bow like that. I saw it in person.

[Buckeye Guy]

Inside out no problem
still have not done the sideways Osage yet like Gary did
hope to have time this winter

[Jim Davis]

Prehistoric examples have been found too and this is discussed in the Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol.

[PeteC]

Thanks for the replies all.I guess I'm gonna chase a ring bass-ackward then.I'll let y'all know how it turns out. God Bless

[mullet]

Pete, the bow Pappy and Gary did they left some of the bark on the handle.