Best tool for thin rings?

[Pete W]

I am starting a  bow from a small inside split of Osage. It has quite thin rings,and it is minimal in size for making a bow. The stave is about 8 years old so it is well seasoned, and pretty straight, no knots at all and some reflex.
 I don't have a lot of wood to waste, so what is the better tool for getting down to a single ring.I need to go from 1 corner that has the target ring exposed to about 1/8" down on this side.The other side has this ring varying from 1/8 down to 3/8" down at the far end.
 I am leary of the draw knife as it seems to want to dig in,I have several rasps and files, Nicholson 49, 50, Ferriers rasp and a few others, Spoke shaves,and planes and scrapers.

I feel like I have only 1 chance to get it right.

Pete

[TroyH]

Funny you should ask.  I just took a stave down to a single ring which was only about 1/16 in thickness.  I don't think you could use any of the tools mentioned except your draw knife and scraper.  That is what I used.  If you are really worried about violating your final ring, try going to a ring above with the draw knife then using the scraper to get to your final ring.  That would be a little more work but would be a surer way of not messing up.
With the one I just did, I used my draw knife all the way down, and occasionally used a scraper to clean up and help see where I was at.
With 1/8 or better rings you shouldn't have too much problem with the draw knife.

[George Tsoukalas]

Use a scraper like tool.A curves scraper would come in handy too. I use a shave hooks. I have a couple of curved ones too. I also use my Swedish draw knife as a scraper. But the best tool is patience. Jawge

[Pete W]

Well I got impatient, and went for it with the draw knife.I took it slow and didn't try to make long cuts, just made short strokes and watched real close. LOL Real close.
 This is the first time I have chased a ring so I was out of my comfort zone by a lot.
 After a few inches I discovered there is a diferent sound and feel to the blade when it was doing it's job and seperating the rings.
 The bigest help was getting under good light  so I could see the edge that needed to be worked.
 In the end I have a perfectly smooth back for my new bow.
 Yea , I got it right all the way from stem to stren.
 Now I can lay out a little Osage Flat bow 62" long with a no bend handle.
  Thanks for the tips guys.  It went faster and better than I thought it would.

 After this bow is finished I have 1 piece of Osage left, and it is going to be a big chalenge. Lots of twists and turns , ups and downs.
 Somewhere inside is a bow, all I need to do is find it.    It should be easy, just cut away anything that does not look like a bow!  :D  
 I envy you folks that have access to Osage and other good bow woods.

 Pete

[T Folts]

Pete
You got it now you are a pro.
A sharp scraper and a real good light are the only things you need to chase a ring. Sound is everything with the draw knife, congrats

[Tom Leemans]

Incandescent light helps you see the rings better. Keep a clamp lamp handy.

[Roy Steele]

I use a glass out of eye glass.This only scrapes small amounts at a time.But any scraper will work.I think Jawge said it.PATIENCE what ever you use.

[ranger 3]

I use cheap scissors from the dollar tree $1.00 each and they work great.