Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: straightarrow on February 04, 2010, 02:35:05 pm
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I was reading a post on here, (Todays harvest) and was wondering if osage can be quick dried. I have read that is should be sealed at the ends with the bark on and left to dry for 2 years. Could a ring be chased and the back sealed? If so, if the bow is roughed out how long should it dry?? I have quick dried hickory with no checks.....but have heard that osage starts drying when hits the ground
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Like any bow wood, the longer(to an extent) the better. I bought a stave from Yazoo's Dad at Hickory NC 2 years ago that was cut May 8. The shoot was at the end of May and I had a 60" bendy handle static recurve built and shot in a month later. That bow developed frets and I am convinced that it hadn't been seasoned long enough(or it could have been my tillering ;D ) I know folks that have been successful with quick drying osage.
You can reduce a green osage stave to floor tiller stage, seal the back and let it dry well without adversely affecting the stave. It will dry quicker that way. However, there is a big difference between a dry stave and a seasoned stave. Seasoned staves fair better as bows.IMO