Osage and backing??

[wapiti1997]

I'm planning my first attempt at a selfbow, several of you commented on my staves previously, suggesting that I back the bow because of the thin tight growth rings.

Can the sapwood be left on, essentially becoming the backing?  I read somewhere that an author actually recommended only removing the bark when making an osage bow (1942 publication).  Has anyone here done that technique?

Thanks for any input!

[John Scifres]

It's not exactly a backing but yes, you can leave it on.  It is best to go from a green stave and take it down to bow dimensions.  Thin the sapwood by chasing a ring just like you would in heartwood and then shellac the back with 2 or 3 coats of shellac.  Do this all in one sitting or you run the risk of the sapwood checking.  Then you can work it to floor tiller and let it dry for a couple weeks.  Then slowly bend it and watch how quickly it recovers.  It will probably still be too wet so you will have to give it a couple more weeks and repeat.

If your wood is already dry, then there is evidence that the sapwood deteriorates enough that its value is questionable.  But, I have never tried leaving sapwood on a dry stave so take that as hearsay.

[Pat B]

A better choice might be a rawhide backing. I use rawhide on most of my thin ringed osage bows just for insurance but I think it looks good too.