osage ring orientation question

[kismet]

i have some thin ringed osage that is nearly impossibel to chase a single ring for the bows back.  i was wondering if i could turn the stave 90 degrees and let the back of the bow be made up of all the parallel rings.  these are for light weight kid bows.  if it could be or has been done in the past, should i back it?  the bows will be about 20#@20".

thanks

stan

[JackCrafty]

Osage is pretty "snakey" so turning the stave 90^o won't help too much.  Don't get me wrong, it's been done and it works well if the grain is straight.

IMO, I think you'd be better off trying to chase a ring (even if it's sloppy) and then backing the bow with linen cloth, sinew, or equivalent.

[richpierce]

I don't think you'll have much risk even violating rings with that low draw weight and length of pull, depending on the length.

[Hillbilly]

You'd probably be better off backing it, if nothing else because you know that some kid's dad is gonna pick it up and draw it to 36".

[Dano]

I'd chase a ring as best you can, and back it. A kids bow needs to be bullet proof.