how to follow the grain

[SLIMBOB]

Common issue. How wide is the narrowest spot?  If better than 1 inch, like 1.25”...make the bow that wide.

[Deerhunter21]

ok, still try to follow the grain though as well as i can?? right??

[Deerhunter21]

Ok so i dont think i phrased my questions right. how can I follow the grain without looking at the side of the stave because now in that area, the sides don't follow the grain anymore.

I ask this question because when i look at the back I cant see the grain. and maybe im just not looking hard enough.

[SLIMBOB]

Draw a center line down the limb following the grain. That line is your road map. Now the limb will follow the grain. How wide is the narrow spot?

[Deerhunter21]

1 1/2 - 2"

[SLIMBOB]

Just make it 1.5” wide. That’s plenty.  Use your centerline to set the edges at 1.5” wide. Easy peasy.

[RyanY]

Russell,

If you have chased a ring and cleaned up the back, you should start by marking a center line starting at the most narrow spot on the stave. Find the center there and draw a line in pencil down the back of the bow. You should be able to see the lines in the grain that run lengthwise up and down the bow.

After you have marked the centerline, make sure it leaves enough width up and down the bow for your design. If not redo the centerline more to one side or the other.

If the centerline is good then mark your handle and limbs with their corresponding widths.

Once you’ve done that, remove wood to get to your desired width. If you’re using a draw knife, go slowly. When you get close to the line, the blade of the draw knife will tell you how close your marked line is to following the grain. Be careful not to let your draw knife dig into the limb past your width line.

[Weylin]

Russell,

If you have chased a ring and cleaned up the back, you should start by marking a center line starting at the most narrow spot on the stave. Find the center there and draw a line in pencil down the back of the bow. You should be able to see the lines in the grain that run lengthwise up and down the bow.

After you have marked the centerline, make sure it leaves enough width up and down the bow for your design. If not redo the centerline more to one side or the other.

If the centerline is good then mark your handle and limbs with their corresponding widths.

Once you’ve done that, remove wood to get to your desired width. If you’re using a draw knife, go slowly. When you get close to the line, the blade of the draw knife will tell you how close your marked line is to following the grain. Be careful not to let your draw knife dig into the limb past your width line.

Couldn't have said it better. That's what I'd do

[Deerhunter21]

ok thanks!!

[RyanY]

If you can, show us a few pictures of the bow once you have it marked out. Maybe some close ups of the centerline following the grain if possible.

[Deerhunter21]

got it im at school rn tho.

[TimBo]

If you don't feel sure about the center line, move to different lighting, or move the stave around until it catches the light so you can see the grain.  It should be easy and obvious if you are in the right light.

[George Tsoukalas]

Dearhunter, you can see the grain running tip to tip on the stave.

See my last post.

Jawge