Black Locust log?

[Ringbill]

I haven't been on here for awhile. Took a break from bow building for few years. A friend of mine recently cut down a black locust and gave me the trunck. it is about 9' long and averages about 16" in dia. I ripped it in in half so I could get it home. It has been sealed on the ends. I have only done tri lams up to this point and was thinking about doing a self bow. I have gqathered that I want the heatwood, but I have never used locust.

My queastion is this. One side of the log clearly grew faster than the other. With the growth rings not as tight. I would assume that the tighter rings would be better. I will be milling the one half for him and keeping one for me. Which one should I keep?

Next question. If I want to mill some for lams should they be quatersawn or plainsawn?

[Pat B]

How thick are the thicker rings? I would use the thicker rings for a selfbow. While the log is in half let it sit for about a month then split it down to staves, about 4" across the bark side. You can remove the bark and sapwood then also but be sure to seal the backs well. By next summer you should be able to build a bow with one. You can also reduce a stave to floor tiller stage and it will dry faster.

[Ringbill]

The thicker rings average about .270" and the thinner ones around .200

[Pat B]

The thicker rings would be better for selfbows so it's easier to chase a back ring. A good clean back ring without violations is your best bet for a successful selfbow. For locust I would go 66" to 68" and 1 3/4" to 2" wide at the fades. You could do a pyramid style or go out 6" to 8" from the fades before tapering to the tips.