How about this Osage board?

[razorsharptokill]

I'm worried about this spot. This is going to be backed of course. Is it worth it or is it a time bomb?
 

 

 

[OkKeith]

Hmmmmm... Let me make sure I am seeing it right. The pin knot runs all the way across the limb right? Is that gonna be the belly or the back? Looks to be two thirds of the way up the limb.

Not sure what I would do. What are your plans for backing? If I had a really clear and straight grained piece of hickory, I would draw it up so the knot was on the belly and see if most of it would go away with cut-out and tillering. Is the stave long enough to shift the bow down (maybe shorten it some too) to work the knot out the end?

Tough deal. After sitting in my thinking chair and agonizing over what to do, I would probably build it. If it blows, it blows.

I have had a few staves that just wouldn't work out. I cut them up for risers, handles and overlays.

Good luck with it. Let me know how it goes.

OkKeith

[fish n chicks]

Looks like if that knot ends up on the belly you'd be good. Putting it on the back is asking for trouble tho.

[Pat B]

If all of that is solid backing should handle it just fine. I think I'd lay the backing over the pin. What will you be backing it with?

[razorsharptokill]

Either hickory or bamboo. It is on the belly side as I have it drawn and about two inches out from where the limb starts to taper. Which is six inches from the fade.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I built a boo backed Jatoba that had a knot in it just like that and put it on the belly side and 90% of it was gone after tillering but it was not that deep.

 I think I would take Pat's advice on this over my own, He's built alot more bows than me. But then again I might try to get rid of some of it in tillering by leaving it on the belly but it may fret.

 Stiks

 JMO

[John Scifres]

I recommend Dean Torges' video, "Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow".  You will have a lot better time with your first bow after watching it.

That type of grain can casue a problem with compression.  If you can't get rid of it by thinning the belly slat (make it 3/8-7/16" thick), then leave it nearer the center of the thickness of the limb.  This keeps it in the neutral plane where little compression takes place.