Tip Tapering Question???

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

Hey guys on the Bowyer Bench. It has been a while since I have posted anything because of family issues but since that is all behind me lets get started on a new bow!!!

My question: I am looking to make a snakey osage bow out of some billets. When I am tappering the limbs from mid limb to the tip you have to cross the grain of the bow. Is this going to splinter or is this what you are suppose to do to follow the grain through the tapper. I am going from mid limb width of 1 1/2 inch down to 1/2 inch tips....

Any advise would be appreciated... Bow season for us starts in just a little over two months so I have to get rocking on this!!!!

Justin (New Hampshire)

[John Scifres]

That's inevitable.   As long as you have done a good job on layout and don't have any sharp angles between the grain and the side you should be OK.

[PEARL DRUMS]

A few snakey bows I have worked on had a tendancy to "peel" on ther sides near the severe bends. The side grain didnt want to stick tight. I wrap those ares in a sinew band just to be sure I never hear from them again. So far so good.