Addressing Juniper Knots

[Orion]

Hello Everyone!

I have recently acquired a juniper stave and am attempting to make a sinew-backed flatbow from it.  After stripping the bark I realized that I am going to have to address a few knots.  My problem is that none of my references (including searches on this site and others) address this type of knot, which is completely sunken and more like a hole than the built up knots seen in other species.  Is there a secret to dealing with this type of knot? 

Thanks very much in advance!

Bryan

[Bryce]

With juniper I would advise removing the sapwood, for sinew backing. Then the knot is nothing to worry about.
Could we see more of the stave? Heart:sapwood ratio?
Length? Width?

-Pinecone.

[Orion]

I am not at home right now, but will post more pics when I get there.  I believe that the dimensions are 54" x 5" w x I believe 3"or 4" T.  There is not a ton of heartwood.  The knots are deep, and I am not sure that they don't go into the heartwood. Thanks for the response.

Bryan

[Bryce]

Either way you can flatten out where the knot is an sinew over the top.
Where did you get this stave?

[Thesquirrelslinger]

If you are sinew backing it, wouldn't it sort of shrink and fill the hole in, so there is sort of a dent on the back of the bow?
Just guessing,
Squirrel

[Jmilbrandt]

What species of juniper is it? On the juniper bows i've done i just left them how they were and they were fine. Those were all self bows though and the others probably have way more experience with sinew then me.

[Orion]

I am not sure on the species.  I ordered the stave from Oregon a couple of weeks ago. 

[Bryce]

I am not sure on the species.  I ordered the stave from Oregon a couple of weeks ago.

From echo?

[Orion]

Yes, from Echo.  Here are the pics of the length and the ends.  Sorry the pics aren't the greatest.  Thanks for the responses.

Bryan

[blackhawk]

Strip and decrown most if not all the sapwood if you can and sinew back it....no problems there....a good thick three courses of sinew at least will hold down any of those issues....but woods wood and unpredictable

[Bryce]

I knew that stave sounded familiar!

[Orion]

Thanks for the help, everyone.  Sounds like the plan should be to get down into the sapwood to try to get under the knots. 

Bryan