question on Osage

[Spotted Dog]

When you chase a ring down through the sap wood do you need to take every little bit off?
Reason , if I were to stain it for color contrast. I am not that well versed in osage.

[John Scifres]

I would.  You can leave bits and it won't screw anything up.  If it's too thick, it can crack and take splinters down into the heart.  Plus, one of the most beautiful things in the selfbow world is a well-chased ring on the back of an osage bow.  Leave the color contrasts to bumpy, furrowed hickory which is dog-ugly unless tricked out with a camo stain job.