Author Topic: Question on a osage bow  (Read 2807 times)

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Offline Dave 55

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Question on a osage bow
« on: February 01, 2009, 12:24:22 pm »
GUYS i have a question on a osage stave I started working on.When it was split it pulled so much heartwood out under the sapwood that when I squared it up I had a 1and 1/2 inch stave but after removing the sapwood I found a knot right on the working edge of the limb and dont imagine the limb would hold like that.I could go 1and 1/4 inches and try to make an american longbow type bow.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,Dave.
Now is the good old days

Offline DanaM

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2009, 12:31:34 pm »
Picture would help but it sounds like a canidate for a rawhide backing.
"Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking, and not just a lack of money or things."

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Offline Dave 55

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2009, 01:25:55 pm »
Thanks for the reply Dana I know I have to work on the picture posting deal,not too computer smart is the problem.
Now is the good old days

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2009, 01:36:53 pm »
Dave, 1 1/4" wide is fine for an osage bow. If you can eliminate the knot and still get 1 1/4", go for it!  What is the length of your stave and what draw weight and length are you going for?    Pat
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Dave 55

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2009, 01:48:31 pm »
Pat the length of the stave is 68 inches,Id like to get around 60# at 26.Going 1and1/4 inches would alow me to eliminate the knot from the bow,as always thanks for the info,Dave.
Now is the good old days

Offline Pat B

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2009, 01:52:05 pm »
With 1 1/4" and 68" you can easily make 60#@26". You could even go to 66" or 64" if you wanted, especially with your 26" draw.   
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline adb

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Re: Question on a osage bow
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2009, 02:58:41 pm »
I just finished a maple backed osage, which is 1.25" at center, and it has a knot on the edge, right in the middle of the upper limb. It's 72" NTN, and tillered out to 29". You should be fine. I did back it, because of that knot.