Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: J05H on September 05, 2014, 03:33:37 pm
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Just cut this one this morning and I'm wondering what I can get out of it. It's Osage, about 72" overall and about 56" to the small branch below the fork. I wonder if I could split it down the middle of the fork and get some 6' staves? It would probably yield more, cleaner staves if I cut it off at that small branch. What do you guys think?
(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20140905_121813585.jpg)
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you can try splitting there ,, but iffy,,, if it does not work,, then you can cut shorter,,
probably the best way is to cut it shorter below the fork,,, and then split and seal
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I would cut it below the limb and split it.
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Split through the crotch, followed by each side. You could then have 2, and possibly 4 staves.
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Id cut it off and the Y and then split it. I haven't split as much osage as Osage Outlaw has, but Ive split enough to know you don't gamble with it. You get what you can clearly get and burn the rest.
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The grain below the crotch looks squirrelly so I'd do as the others suggested and cut it off below the crotch then split it.
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Well, do you guys suggest cutting at the blue line, or the red line? I'm thinking the red line is probably best, but I'd like a little extra length if I can get it.
(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/a011e54f-833a-482f-9f37-8bedbeef4a09.jpg)
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Red line for me. You can see that sever dog leg heading right between the lines. That's just how it will split. Its extra length you cant use anyway.
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Good point.
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I agree - better to cut at the red line and then split. If 56" is too short, you could always make a 112" takedown!
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How big around is the main trunk? Could you get 4 staves? If so make billets and get 2 good bows from the log.
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Its probably about 6 to 7" in diameter at the red line. If it splits clean, I should be able to get 4 staves. I've never done a splice before, so its about time I tried it. Thanks for talking some sense into me guys. :) I appreciate it.
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Last log I split that had a crotch like that it split out a big chunk of the one branch. If cut it
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I would cut it at the red line. I'd rather have a straight shorter stave than a longer one with a severe dogleg on the last 6". You could make short bend through the handle bows or sinew backed bows if you didn't have enough length for a stiff handle design.
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Some guys here may be smarter then me but personally I like longer bows so id split it right in the middle of the crotch why not
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splitting at the crotch ,, would probably give a pretty challenging twist to the stave,,thats why some are suggesting splice billets,, that would probably make a better bow and longer,, with higher chance of success,,sometimes splitting in a twisted grain, ,will make checks or splinter the wood so it is hard to use,, or not be used at all,, its a risk,, cutting at the red line is a more sure deal,, that being said,, making a wood bow is never a sure deal,,, you just do your best and hope it will sling an arrow,,