OK, first off, this is a testament to the properties of osage, and
not my skills at bow making
!
After careful consideration
, I decided to go Myth Busters on this little stick (you know, after the theory is fully proved/disproved, and the only thing left to do is add more dynamite and just blow it up!). I did a little more filing around the crack area, think I got it all, re-smoothed all the edges, wrapped the former crack zones with silk thread and super glue, moved the bending back into the fades a bit, and generally evened the curves out. I also cut off the major knot at one end and put maple overlays on both ends. I didn't really expect to pull it, just use it for wood working practice. It was also the recipient of my first three attempts at string making, but that's a whole 'nother story. Well, the long and short of the story is that I took it to practice to show some folks my progress smoothing out my first piece of osage, and the Marshall (range safety officer) asked how it looked drawn. I told him I had concerns, but took it over to a safe place and pulled it back about 20-22 inches, and he proclaimed it actually pretty smooth, and asked if I was planning on shooting it. I said probably not, though I might plink a couple out at half draw just to say I'd done it. Much to my surprise, no ticks, no splinters, no cracks, and no explosion! Over the next hour or so, I gradually took it up to consistent 22-24" draws, still no problems
. It's light, if it's 30# I'd be shocked, and the string doesn't track as true as it should, but it actually shoots pretty smoothly, putting an arrow on the target from 20 yards with very little drop.
I think this bow is probably retired now, though I'll try heating and straightening to bring the string into line with the grip, and generally finish it up for looks, but I thought ya might like to see how this story ended up! Thanks again for all the help and comments!
Frode
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