load of fence post

[Morgan]

Now you just gotta wait forever for it to season lol

[RandyN]

Made some progress on the post today. I was able to get the ruff weathered gray wood off the back and down to a growth ring. Here's a closeup of the growth rings.

[RandyN]

Not sure what order these pics will appear.
1. Picture of the full back. Still have a little touch up work to do.
2. A couple islands that I left proud around knots. Not sure they will play a role in the actual bow but figured better safe than sorry.
3. The stave on the right is the sister stave to the one I am working. That is after the 2nd split.
 

[Selfbowman]

I will go with Osage outlaw on that pile.   Arvin

[bradsmith2010]

Randy gave me a piece of post today,, I took off a few layers of wood,, and I think I see a bow,, now I have to decide if I want to make a shorter sinew bow,, or cut it down the middle and splice it together,,for a longer self bow,, I will sleep on it,,

[upstatenybowyer]

I once made a bow from a piece that had been laying on the ground for at least 40 years. I think you guys can do it. 

[Pat B]

Brad, it would be a shame to cover that beautiful wood with anything although I bet it would make a snappy sinew backed bow. 

[Hawkdancer]

Looks like there is more than one bow on that trailer!  Have fun and keep us posted!
Hawkdancer

[RandyN]

Brad,,You got thing down quick. Thats going to make a nice bow, whatever you decide. I am going to take a couple picots of my stave tomorrow and show everyone what you and I talked about doing to my stave. Stay tuned guys, looks like dueling stave happening here. This will be fun.

[RandyN]

Took some quick pics this morning so you can see what my stave is looking like. Brad, thanks for the help yesterday.

1. Shows the center line of the bow. Straight forward on the straight section of the stave.
2. A couple potential problem areas that we had to do a little more thinking about. Cut the stave off at the area with a knot on both sides for a shorter possibly sinew backed bow. Cut it off here, then cut down the middle of the straight part of the stave and make 2 billets, splice them together for a longer self bow. Or work around the problem and have a nice character bow. This one needed some thought.
3. Then we have the easier problem to deal with, the twist.

OK, its morning and I'm still not sure which way I want to go. I hate to waste the good wood and I like a challenge so I am thinking I will just start removing wood and shaping the bow. The wood will  let me know what the best choice will be.

Brad, your half is definitely the better/easier half.  Just kidding!!!   :

[bradsmith2010]

im gonna go down one more ring and get past some checks,, Pat you are right,, the wood is too pretty to cover up,, Ill just see how it goes,, I got so excited I drew a bow on Randys stave,, I think if he goes down one ring,, it will get rid of the the "ARt Work"
I am thinkingi of trying to splice on some extensions,, to get a bit more length,, I only draw 25 so its not too hard to get that,,

[Danzn Bar]

Very interesting stave you got there.
DBar

[RandyN]

Decision made. Followed the grain around the knots on the side of the bow. Did a little rough out of what the bow will look like. Looking more like a bow than a post.

[leonwood]

Oh yes I like this threat! Awesome load of poles and really nice to see you guys make bows out of that gnarly stuff! 

[upstatenybowyer]

Get that heat gun ready!