Heating Osage before it’s seasoned

[Fox]

I’ve got a Osage stave, been seasoning for about 6 months, ruffed out for 3 or so. And has been in 30%-50% humidity. Can I do some straightening and recurving now ? Or will it check? And also how much longer should I let it season before bending?


-Fox

[gutpile]

if boiling for recurves you could of done that green... osage bends easily with dry heat to correct any alignment issues... I'd definitely go ahead and bend curves now...as for straightening you could wait  till seasoned... which since roughed out for 3 months ought to be close... again dry heat on osage is the way I go for straightening and aligning tips.... but I boil all my recurves...but yes if wet and you put the heat to it.. it will check.. gut

[Pat B]

Dean Torges used steam on green osage. He thought it would also force some of the moisture out of the wood. If you use moist heat, steam or boil, be sure to seal the back first with shellac. Shellac, unlike other sealers will withstand the heat and moisture and still protect the back.
 I use shellac on the back of any bow I make, seasoned or not. Too many times I've exposed a seasoned osage back just to have it check.

[Fox]

Okay thanks guys. So you think the stave will be dry in like a month or two ? More less? This is my first real osage stave so I really don’t know

[Pat B]

I'd give it a year under the right conditions. If you reduce it to floor tiller stage it should take less time. Just be sure the back is sealed well.