Primitive Archer

Ya Glenn it is fixing to get nasty at least for us over the next few days, been there done that so we will get through I suppose. got everything pretty well set around here. Sorry about the Bill's ,but you could have a team like the Titans  Beau's wife Christina family is from Buffalo so they weren't very happy either this weekend. Headed down this morning to get a few more things ready for the cold and a little more seasoned fire wood close to the pit and covered, probably spend a lot of time around that this weekend.  We don't get a lot of weather like this around here often so it is kind of like an adventure for me and really don't mind in much, in moderation of course. 
 Pappy

Here are a couple obsidian corner notch arrowheads (notching inspired by montell points) and one from buffalo river chert

It's been my pleasure. For a number of reasons I don't really build bows at the moment but I value this community and the trade keeps me involved.  I have started a thread asking for observations/suggestions for future trades, and I welcome any comments.  Shameless plug, I will be launching the 2026 junior trade early in February for anyone that is interested 

I scored what appears to be a nice Osage orange log from a friend.  It's been sitting in his shed for around 20 years, he says.  It does have some extensive checks--I won't know how bad until I get the bark off a stave and start working it--but I think I was able to avoid the worst ones with judicial splitting.

So, I've never worked with Osage before...I seem to remember reading that narrow and deep, with a D-cross section and fairly bendy tips is the way to go.  Is that right?  All my successful bows thus far have been flatbows, so this is new territory for me.  Recommendations?

I'm hoping to get a c. 60# bow that will draw smoothly, be reasonably forgiving of my creative ineptitude, and cast a 600-700 grain arrow with authority.

You’re remembering right. Osage shines as a narrow, deep D-section bow with crowned back and stiff outer limbs. Start conservative: leave it thick, chase a clean ring, and let it tell you where it wants to bend. Bendy tips are fine, but don’t force them. For 60# with heavy arrows, smooth tiller and mass placement matter more than elegance.

Here are what the rings look like.  I think these checks are going to be hard to avoid, but hopefully once I get the bark off I can find a place to thread the needle somewhere.