Help please

[willie]

if you can get osage,,, go with that,,

for sure the best in the long haul, alternatives suggested to start tillering next month.

[del]

I have a red oak board bow glued up for about 3 months now.  I guess I will start getting it ready to make some firewood!  LOL

[Allyn T]

I am still making my first bow(hickory stave) and dense wood is tough to start with. If you have multiple options I would start with an easier to carve wood like elm. Learning how to best use the hand tools has been a journey all by itself for me and would be easier with lighter wood

[willie]

allyn,

did you work the hickory green? if by hand tools you mean a drawknife or spokeshave? green is by far easier and good for reduction before drying. rasps/files need dry though.

[Allyn T]

Willie I started about 2 months after I split the log with draw knife and hatchet, even used a chain saw to rip part of it. The rest has been with rasp and file. The stave was about 8 or 10 inches thick to start with and I didn't really understand how much I was gonna be taking off. I have a much better understanding now lol