Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Scallorn on February 20, 2014, 01:13:46 pm
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I live in a place where osage is very common. But, the majority of the hardwood trees that I have around here are Hickory. I build almost all of my bows out of hickory, they are very strong, lightweight, and powerful. I have never had one break. So, is Osage really that much better than hickory? It seems like it would be a lot harder to work with, and would take a lot more time. So, is it worth it to go through all the trouble for osage?
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Yes
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Osage doesn't sponge up humidity, and may take longer.
Osage is king in my book!
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It's like comparing vienna weenies to steak, the hickory being vienna weenies! :laugh:
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YES!
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Is it really worth it to even fart around with all the frustration and heartbreak of making these dang things when you can go buy something? :laugh:
I have found that osage actually works better under a sharp tool compared to hickory. I think the hardness of the wood makes it part better when that razor sharp edge of the draw knife or spokeshave contacts. And since I live in a very dry climate, neither one really has an advantage for cast (your mileage may vary). And lastly, since I have neither growing here, I gotta import one or the other. And I will always make room for another stave of either one every chance I get.
I might give the advantage, slight though it may be, to osage. But that only comes down to aesthetics. You see, I absolutely love the color old osage takes on when it has been in the sun for a long time. Mmmm, prettttyyyy!
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Are you kidding me ?? YES it's worth it !!
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I have access to countless hickory, hophornbeam, black locust, elm, etc.... but use osage 99% of the time. LOVE that yellar wood!!!
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Osage, black locust, and yew are my idea of the top three woods. I liked the two pieces of osage I almost ruined early on for the stability and consistent performance, I like locust for it's daredevil speed (and it's available around here ::) ), and yew makes a gorgeous longbow but I don't have the experience to back that up, just everybody's bows I see.
Hickory is indestructible, but the only barely less indestructible, more moisture resistant, better performing, and far more set resistant osage orange is worth the work.
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I like my hickory, and wondered the same thing you ask while building my first few osage bows for the same reasons you mentioned. After quite a few osage I have come to realize why they call it the king. Definetly worth the extra effort...I still like my hickory too though.
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Yes, and I like hickory. Jawge
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Build a bow from it and you will see ;)
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Nah... keep making those nice bows outta hickory. Cut that junkie crap osage, and send it to me, so I can dispose of it.
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Performance is in the hands of the bowyer... But i think osage likes to be worked with hand tools better than most woods ive tried. JMO.... Brian
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even with the little I've used, and the fact that I hate chasing rings, yeah it's worth it
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just shakin ma hed,,, Kids tday!!
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I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but I sat down at my shaving horse one day after having not chased a ring for months, and to my surprise, it was unexplainably easier than ever before! haven't had a problem with chasing rings ever since. as with much of life, things get easier with experience!
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When I first started I couldn't chase a ring for the life of me. Now I honestly don't know how I couldn't chase a ring before. And with osage it will tell u. When u get into the pithy wood it speaks to u.
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I find osage easier to work than most woods including hickory. Hickory is a great wood but if you live in a moderate to high humidity it simply won't perform as well as osage.
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I've got some bad arthritis in both wrists, when I chase rings I might have to wait a couple a days for the swelling to go down, the main reason I don't like chasing rings ;)
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It has taken me a bit to adjust. I like the simplicity of Hickory where I can just peel off the bark "...and there's your back" as they say.
I'm still just barely better than horrible at chasing a ring, but after working a little Honey Locust and trying to chase a ring on it, Osage feels pretty easy!
So, yes, I grudingly admit, it's worth it. You can do more with it and it forgives my failures more readily.
...but I hear there are guys that make awesome performing bows out of Poplar too!!!
OneBow
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NO ONEBOW NO, don't start that again :o > :laugh:
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You will never really know unless you try it! ;)
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They are both excellent woods and have their respective merrits. But if you haven't tried osage then you owe it to your self. Surpisingly, osage is much easier to rasp than hickory, hands down.
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They are both excellent woods and have their respective merrits. But if you haven't tried osage then you owe it to your self. Surpisingly, osage is much easier to rasp than hickory, hands down.
+1
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For me... Nope. But only for my own circumstances.
1. Working on osage for more than 5 minutes makes me physically ill unless it's a REALLY well ventilated area. Mulberry does the same.
2. my folding saw can only cut trees up to 6 inches in diameter which is fine for whitewoods but by the times you chase a ring on osage it's got a really high crown.
3. why cut osage when I have an unlimited supply of plum? Lol, I don't even have to debark it! >:D
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If you have access to some osage you owe it to yourself to try it, make a few and you could become a convert. It is not the only wood for bows but it is special indeed. :)
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I really like hickory and have made a ton of bows out of it. But osage works so much easier and makes bows that are just as good. Plus its beautiful stuff.
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It's worth it. No question...
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Try it........... you'll like it ;)
DBar
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Yep! Definitely worth it. However, I am a bit jealous that you have both. I do love hickory! Josh
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What a bunch of co-dependency enablers!
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Wow, I never knew so many of you felt so strongly about Osage. I just use hickory because I like it. I have used elm too, but I don't like the grain of elm, it never seems as straight as hickory. But you have swung me, I will have to cut one of these bois d'arcs around here and start working on it. :)
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3. why cut osage when I have an unlimited supply of plum? Lol, I don't even have to debark it! >:D
Good plan! I prefer plum over hedge as well:)
Osage is one o those woods that may not be a joy to work, but the bows you can make from that particular species are endless.
It's good wood nonetheless
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I like Osage, but I have to purchase or trade for it. That is getting old, so I am switching to local woods only for a while.
While Osage is a pleasant wood to work and makes a fine bow, I find it much more gratifying to build bows with local materials.
Patrick
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I like Hickory a lot,but love Osage. ;) :) Both great bow wood it treated properly. :)
Pappy
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Do I need to state my obviously strong biased opinionated opinion here ::) :laugh:
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Do I need to state my obviously strong biased opinionated opinion here ::) :laugh:
...I don't think you need to BH. We all know of your strong preference for Red Oak trim boards over all other lumber. >:D
OneBow
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Well - I really wouldn't know.
I live in Denmark, and osage of bow quality is pretty expensive to get by.
But feel free to send some ossage my way, and I'll happily start working my way through a few staves to give a qualified ansver >:D Heh.
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i live in a hickory forest, and i pay lots of money to have osage shipped to me ;)
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Osage rules, and I thinks its easier to work once you get a feel for it.