Osage stick bow (No.79) pic heavy!

[medicinewheel]

I really like your bows and this one is no exception!

Question: Sapwood seems softer than heartwood. Wouldn't that cause problems with FF strings??

[Aaron H]

Thanks Simon

[DC]

Simon, what concentration of ammonia are you using? I think the stuff I have experimented with was only 5%

Aaron, I use solutions of 20% and 10%. I think only 5% is a bit low. Go to a restorer shop they have the stuff you want.
You can increase and speed up with temperature, place your setup in the sun or heat up anyhow. Just be careful the stuff is dangerous on skin and eyes and lungs.

I couldn't find more than 5%(small town) so I put the jar on one of those little coffee cup warmers. They are about 140 degrees. That helped a lot but the bow got extremely wet. A lot of drying time was needed. I gave it a week or so to dry.

[Redhand]

Beautiful bow Simon! I like the way you finish your bows.  Thanks for sharing.

[simson]

I really like your bows and this one is no exception!

Question: Sapwood seems softer than heartwood. Wouldn't that cause problems with FF strings??

Frank, I use 2x3 strand strings up to 70 pounds. At the ears are 2x2 pieces of dacron added.  I wouldn't go without an overlay on soft woods like yew or juniper, but with osage I see no problem. I have made overlays from osage sap on osage bows, works without any issues.
BTW.: this is a heartwood only bow, the 'overlays' are heartwood rings

schöne Grüße!

[wizardgoat]

Very nice bow Simon

[Dvshunter]

Pretty smooth stick there. Well done.

[Peacebow_Coos]

That's a beautiful stick Simson, you've got that fuming down pat.

[George Tsoukalas]

Absolutely beautiful. Very impressive! Jawge

[Selfbowman]

Very nice bow. The tips impress me. No shock in that one.  Arvin

[GlisGlis]

In a place that collect many talented bow makers you are the ARTIST.

That helped a lot but the bow got extremely wet. A lot of drying time was needed. I gave it a week or so to dry.

You may benefit of the dumpness-ammonia to do some bending. ammonia make bending alot esear

[simson]

Thanks again for your kind comments, guys!

[Stixnstones]

un-freakin-believable! eye popper.

[Carson (CMB)]

Another work of art!! The combination of character, simplicity and color are pure beauty...not to mention the perfect tiller and tiny nocks.