Ash stave

[ranger 3]

Is this to much to leave on the back of an ash stave?
 

[George Tsoukalas]

I'd remove a bit more of the inner bark with a rounded scraper or the rounded part of a jack knife. Jawge

[ALW]

I'm new to bow building but I'd say that's a bit much.  I had some pecan that the bark wasn't removed on when wet and it was a bear to get off.  I got most of it off with a drawknife and scraper but the inner bark was really thick and tough to get off with a scraper.  I took a wet cloth and layed it on the back to moisten up the inner bark layer.  When it was damp, I used a brass wire brush in my drill and ground it off, for lack of a better term.  The brush didn't seem to damage the sapwood but was able to get into those tight spots really well.  Just a thought.

Aaron

[Moen]

I use a small "steam-cleaning-thing". Fast and good result:)

[bjansen]

Ranger here is a pic of the back of the first one I finished from that Ash tree...When I first removed the bark I took almost all of it off...Most of the effect is gone after finish sanding....I really like how yours looks now...maybe you can just thin it down a little more.  Good luck..and nice straight stave you split out there...


 

[ranger 3]

Brad, that one is one I had already. i just recurved the tip on one end and waiting for it to cool. We are going to shoot Pottstown Sunday mornng if you are interested, let me know.

[Adirondack-Jim]

A friend left not quite that much inner bark on a hickory stave once. After shooting it about 50 times we hear a loud pop and a good piece of the inner bark was lifting off. Unfortunately, it drastically changed the tiller.

[John Scifres]

I think it will be fine.  Here's one I did with not much less than that.
 

[ranger 3]

I just posted a finished bow pics on another thread (new bow finished)