Osage Bow (that hopefully doesn't take 10 months)

[Stick Bender]

Also went over to amazon and took a look they have some Draw Knifes starting at $22 one of those would really help with chasing your first rings !

[Marin]

PatB,
I would ask but I don't have anything of value to trade.

[Marin]

Also, I wasn't talking. About only using a scraper on the back but using the rasp to take off the sapwood and maybe scuff up the first ring and then using a scraper to finish it up. It might be the best thing to do for my first ring chasing as I I have never used a draw knife before.

[Stick Bender]

Go for it after your first you will know exactly what tools you need , exsperience is the best teacher !

[Marin]

 I debarked the stave today and even took off some sapwood with a rasp. I am practicing "chasing a ring" with the sapwood as I take it off and so far it seems easier than I thought but what do I know   
Here's some pics of my progress

[Stick Bender]

Every body chases rings differently but the way I usually do it is sand down the end of the stave so I can get a clear view of the rings & choose the one I want with some wiggle room to go deaper if there are any suprises on that ring and I chase down to the ring above that one & depending on the ring thickness I scrape to the ring, if those rings are thin I personaly would not go near it with that rasp , can you post a pick of the sanded end grain so we can see your rings ? Also when Im done for the day I re shellac every thing to prevent checking !

[Marin]

I was going to use a scraper to chase the heartwood rings. I'm only using a rasp to get through the sapwood. Do I need to shellac when the wood is already dry?

[Stick Bender]

I would  shellac after your done every time hedge can hold on to moisture and cause checks with freshly exposed wood it's cheap insurance & I think you live in ca. Where it's probably drier then where that came from so could check easily if not sealed  I keep all my working staves at 50% RH inside once you get your ring chased & bow ruffed out it will stablelise quickly but properly dried hedge will take a lot less set & make a nicer bow. Your working with top notch bow wood there !

[Marin]

I am keeping this stave inside already where It is much cooler. But if I do put on shellac do I just paint it on the back?

[Stick Bender]

 The back and ends I usaly put some down the sides on freshly exsposed too I have been using the spray shellac lately picked it up at Home Depo ether one works but find the spray convenient for end of shop day & it drys fast !

[Marin]

Thanks
Also, what do you mean by 50% RH? (Sorry I didn't understand)

[Stick Bender]

Realitivly humidity 

[Marin]

Is there anything else I can use to seal the bow tho? So far it isn't checking and my house is usually at 60-70 degrees (it's starting to get warmer here so the house will stay cool).

[Stick Bender]

Any wood glue some body posted a while back using hair spray I have never used it but dont see why it wouldnt work get it cheap at the Dollar store

[RidgeRunner]

Marin:
It would also be a good idea to seal the belly side.
You have removed quite a bit of wood from the belly side exposing fresh wood.
Osage belly wood will also check quite bad.

David