twisted osage ?

[snag]

Here is a stave I have started working on. The tip is pretty twisted. Didn't know if I should correct it with heat at this point or not.
 

There is a knot in the handle that doesn't go all the way through it. Was wondering if I should dig the knot out (it has separated from surrounding wood) and fill with glue?  
 

The other concern is this crack in the limb. Where it is I have taken the wood down to 3/4" in thickness. Should I keep trying to take wood off or should I epoxy this crack? Or is this stave just firewood?    :confused:  
 
Thanks, David

[John Scifres]

I get my bows to floor tiller and then correct.

I wouldn't fret over the knot until you have the bow tillered and shot in.

I can't tell where the crack (looks like a wind check to me) is in the limb.  You need to get farther down the road before you do anything.  3/4" is way too thick for it to bend.  Start tillering, keep an eye on the cracked area.  If it worries wyou after you start bending then make the call.  It's likely that a little superglue will be insurance enough.

[Pat B]

David, no problems with any of these "maladies". The twist can be removed later. Too early now...too much wood to work with.
 I'd fill that knot with super glue. Do it in stages so you don't get voids in the fill. If a big gap towards the outside mix in some fine saw dust as a filler but be sure it gets saturated with super glue.
 Put a little super glue in the cracks.

[snag]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. This is the inner core of a larger stave that I split off of. Didn't know if there was enough wood to make a bow out of to begin with. Just trying to see what I can do with it. I'm glad it is possibly a bow! We'll see what I can do with it.
That twisted end, can I still put some nock grooves in it so I can long string tiller it?

[Pat B]

I use a para cord with slip knots in each end as a tillering string so the string will "grip" the nock and not just slide in. You can loose a bunch of the tip thickness and still be good. Half inch thick should be plenty to start with.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I see a shooter in there Snag. John and Pat have given you about the best advice there is for this stave.

 Keep the pics and questions coming. These guys will make a bowyer out of anybody if they can make one out of me.

 Stiks

[snag]

I don't know what it is...this making selfbows is totaly taking over my daily thoughts! If I was retired I'd be making wood chips and sawdust like crazy. I love it! But sure don't know much about it yet. Thanks for the help.

[Eric Krewson]

I always fill cracks with super glue as soon as I find them to keep them from growing during any floor tillering sessions. I use thin super glue and tap on the side of the stave as I add the glue to help it settle into the crack and let the air bubbles out.

[broketooth]

vwery nice thick growth rings snag looks like you are well on your way. keep posting pics of your progress. im very interested in watching your stave become a bow. mr pat and mr eric have helped me alot you are in good hands. ruddy

[Roy Steele]

Yea snag it is addictive.

[Roy Steele]

Yea snag it is addictive.

[frank bullitt]

Yep, your bitten!

Snag, you could also set that one aside, and work on something better, staighter. Then come back to it after you have made a few.

I say this from my experience, see the stave in a different light, so to speak.

Wow, if I had the help of the sharing on here 20 some years ago!

But I did have the help from one of the best, Gary Davis. Buy his dvd, you be happy for sure!

[Pat B]

...and Snag, you call that a twisted stave? d;^)
IMO, that is almost a primo osage stave.  This is a crooked, knotty, twisted stave I built the TG Trade bow from last winter and spring that went to Joe Weed(osagetree).
 
 
 
 

[snag]

Pat, that's an awesome piece of wood. You did it proud too! I know mine isn't much...but to this newbie it is a challenge. Thanks, David

[KellyG]

snag,
I thank patb is a master and challeges himself buy closing his eyes and cutting down the first thing he bumps into and makes a bow out of it with on hand tied behind his back. I bet the telephone compamy is tired of replacing poles out that way    
Kelly

[Pat B]

It's all relative! Believe me, I have fretted(pun intended) over bows I was building and the staves I was using but if you listen to the stave, it will guide you through.
  A flintknapper friend told me once..."it's not how many arrow heads you knap but how many tons of rock you go through. Same with making wood bows. With quantity comes success! d;^)