I violated thin ringed E. ash sapling - fail or not? PICTURES ADDED

[FilipT]

Wow, never done that before. What could I gain from that move? Btw, my bow is almost completely shaped, I will probably tomorrow clean the back from violations.

[DC]

FilipT is in Croatia and from what I've read on here I get the impression that European Ash is much better than North American Ash.

[Jim Davis]

FilipT is in Croatia and from what I've read on here I get the impression that European Ash is much better than North American Ash.

Guess that explains why the wood doesn't look like any ash I have seen.

[FilipT]

Yes, correctly, this is an European ash. It has mostly smooth bark but when it grows really old it becomes more rough. Also it is full of white spots on the bark.

[Aksel]

Hi Filip, to de-crown means that you scrape down the back - the crown- and make it more rectangular in cross section, like a board. It should be done nice and even on the whole bow, not only in one spot. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=49474.15

you can do this if you have shaped the profile of the bow but maybe not if you have stated to tiller it.

[Springbuck]

To me, decrowning is pretty high level stuff, especially on a sapling which may have lots of small knots and the like included.

We have several ash varieties in North America.  As far as properties of the wood go, European ash is very similar to American white ash, but the bark of young trees is smoother.  Older trees are hard to distinguish.

 The numbers (S.G., MOE, MOR, and longitudinal crushing stregth) from the old CWAR website were essentially identical, except E. Ash had a higher measured janka side hardness.

[Aksel]

Springbuck, maybe lower level than chasing paper thin rings? One of the first bows I ever made I de-crowned and it still shoots

[FilipT]

Update: bow almost completely roughed out and left on the attic for 2 weeks so that majority of moisture goes away. It will be ready for tillering in middle April.

[Springbuck]

Maybe!  Maybe I'm just not that good at it.

[Pappy]

Them rings don't look that thin to me, you should be able to chase that easy enough.Good luck, look forward to seeing it up and shooting.
 Pappy

[FilipT]

No, they are really thin. Look at the area where the point of arrow is. Btw, this sapling on picture is not the one I made the bow of.

[George Tsoukalas]

Simply put...when a ring is violated, you take your chances.
Jawge

[FilipT]

I removed the bow from attic and reduced wood so it is pretty much ready for tillering. But I will leave it indoors for about one week with each day weighing it so I could be pretty sure I am dealing with dry wood. European ash really likes moisture so one should really be careful with it.

Now, the violations are still concerning me. Here are pictures. If experienced forum members still recommend backing, I will do that. Waiting for a green light.


Notice the white spots where I cut into another layer of growth rings.




Arguably the worst violation. See how the knot has several rings cut through.


Handle area shows how thin growth rings are.

[Pat B]

Can you take it down another ring.   If not, a simple backing like brown bag paper, silk, linen or others will help.

[PatM]

Back it with sinew.