Red Osage

[SLIMBOB]

It may be more dense, my point is I cant see much if any difference in the final product.  Just my opinion for what it's worth.  The beauty is undeniable, but I would look at things other than color in selecting a "primo" stave.  I would have been on the other side of this argument just a few years ago, as the dark wood I had worked seemed more dense than the yellow stuff, but over the last few years I have seen some "electric yellow" wood that seemed every bit as dense if not more so, than the dark wood I was working, the bow before or just after.  The bow I am working on now is so dark it looks like old Osage, and the grain in it is remarkable.  It's hard as a rock as well.  Great piece of Osage, I just cant see much difference between it and some of the very yellow woods I've worked when it comes to judging the final product.   And that's all I gotta say about that!

[Blaflair2]

U could check the specific gravity of each wood

[Roy]

Looks sweet. Question here, on Osage that is mostly yellow in color, what are the reddish streaks that sometimes are seen running down through it? Is there any problems using such a piece of Osage?

[IndianGuy]

I get an occasional stave like that and it usually has really tight growth rings, that stave just looks a little more seasoned and it will continue to get darker as time goes on, some oil will relaly help bring out the color in that stave it looks like it could use some.

[Blaflair2]

I believe the streaks are mineral lines. Other woods get them too. That just my thought

[burchett.donald]

I worked the profile today and here's a pic of the color...My camera isn't the best and it looks darker red in person.

[osage outlaw]

I've got some red osage that I'm dying to tear into and see if it is more dense than normal osage.  When I started cutting it with the chainsaw it sounded like I was cutting a steel pipe.  I could tell something was different about the wood just from the sound.  My Dad was helping me and he noticed the difference in sound also.  Almost every stave split along a growth ring about halfway down the stave.  It didn't ruin any staves.  It actually helped.  I left the staves big and now I think I can get two bows out of each one.  It was second growth off of an old stump. 

[Will H]

Here's a pic of those billets I was referring to. They turned in to one of my best shooting bows.

[burchett.donald]

Beautiful Will...Did you post that bow?  Here's a pic of the handle and you can see most of the top rings are red full length...

[Will H]

No I haven't posted it yet, I backed it with copperheads. I'll post it soon

[Pappy]

Looks like a good stave to me,never had any problems with the streaks,couldn't see the rings but if they are of good ratio it should make a fine bow.
 Pappy

[half eye]

Hey Don, I made a real nice Odawa from really dark red osage, no issues what so ever. Here's some pics. The wood is very dark red even if the flash makes it look lighter. Bow is 46" draws 48#@24" have had no problems with the wood at all.
rich

[burchett.donald]

Rich,
       That is absolutely gorgeous...Scallops and art work, beautiful wood...
                                                                                                               Don

[simson]

Looks very nice so far!
I like that dark fat stuff, I'm happy I to have some of those.
IMO the best for self bows

[George Tsoukalas]

Looks like a great stave! I like those streaky staves. I think they are mineral lines too. Jawge
I've had some really nice bows from those darker staves too.
Jawge