Snaky Osage

[Muskyman]

As I was getting organized a little after all my work on my stave harvest I found this stave from a year ago and thought it would make a snaky bow. It’s 76 inches long and has good rings. Wanted to get your thoughts on it. The pencil is about where the handle would be.
Thanks for your input.

[Muskyman]

Pic 2

[superdav95]

Should be a great project mike.  If it were me I would make the bottom limb the end that is closest to the camera in last pic.  This would take advantage of the angled handle grip and arrow pass.  Just a thought.  I would also go fairly narrow in this piece of wood I think as it has some crown.  Should make a sweet bow! 

[Muskyman]

Started chasing a ring on this stave today. Got about half way through it and plan on trying to finish tomorrow. Then I’ll work on laying out the bow. I’m going to take my time with this part and follow the grain. It’s got a little bit of twist in it I think. Also has about 4 inches of reflex in it but, it’s not equal on top and bottom limb. Going to try not to move to fast on this one.

[Muskyman]

Ring chased. Now I just have to get straight bow limb thinking out of my head. I need to force myself to follow the grain and not try to make everything straight.

[Muskyman]

So I’d like some help with this layout. Picture is what I’m looking at for the centerline of this bow.
Yes, no, maybe? I tried to follow the grain down the length of the stave.
Stave is 74 inches long

[Muskyman]

The rings

[Muskyman]

Other end

[Muskyman]

Pic

[Pat B]

Mark out the length that will be your bow and cut it off there. Find the center and draw a line across the back then go 2" on either side and draw a line across marking out your handle  then 2" outside of those lines for the fades. From the fade line mark a line across the back every 2" out each limb. At each of these lines past the fades measure from the center line over 1"(for a 2" wide bow or 3/4" for a 1 1/2" wide bow) and work out each limb marking the narrowed width you want the limb to be at that point. This works well on snaky and irregular shaped bows for lay out.

[Muskyman]

Exactly what I did Pat. Watched a video Weylin has online on layout. Still have a few questions.. how to address the problem with this knot is the main thing..The dark line is where the outside edge of the limb is..
I plan on leaving-it at 74 inches. My draw length is 30.5
Should end up about 72 inches knock to knock

[Muskyman]

Here it is now

[Pat B]

As long as the knot isn't darting into the bow you should be able to go around it and then mimic that curve by going out on the other side of the limb. This would depend on the knot and how the knot is positioned in the limb.
 Will you post a pic of the side with the knot and the belly at the knot?

[PaSteve]

Exactly what Pat said. Leave it a little wide on the opposite side of the knot. I've run into a similar ssue on an osage stave and the bow worked out fine. Patience is your friend. Good luck. That's going to be a neat looking bow.

[Muskyman]

Might have went to far on the off side. Here are a few pictures. First is the bottom. Knot it right where the pencil mark is