Drying bow staves.

[Markus]

What is your opinion on keeping bowstaves that are, let us say half dry. Do you keep them laying flat or standing on end? The reason I ask is a storage space problem. Thanks.

[Bill B.]

Space for me is an issue also. Most of my staves in slit log form are stored vertically in my garage. The ones that I want to work next, if not already done I’ll chance a ring or debark and store in the house horizontally. Just don’t forget to seal the back again.

[Eric Krewson]

If you are not overloaded with them, I would cut them down to bow blanks to reduce the volumn, I store my bow blanks horizontally. I can store 15 bow blanks in a very small space. The down side is green blanks might warp but ones half dry probably won't. I always end up heat correcting my blanks in one way or another, usually reflexing them so any small warpage isn't a problem.

[Pat B]

Like Eric said, reduce to bow blank stage, seal the back and ends and store them horizontally. If you have a few that are still wet you can bind 2 together, back to back until they are drier. This will help prevent unwanted twisting and bending. Manipulating with heat later is usually an option with most woods.

[bassman211]

I take them down wet, floor tiller, and clamp on a form. When they are dry they are straight with reflex ,and belly heated treated, and ready to tiller.