I need some advice

[Rock Crusher]

I have here what I thought was a beautiful hickory stave until I peeled the bark off and found these two knots. The stave is long enough I was planning on making a 68" bow out of it but that would put these two knots right in the fade is that possible if I leave wood around it like I have marked? I could make a 62" bow and put the knots in the middle of the handle then could I just shape the handle without worrying about them? I am planning on backing it with sinew could I just shape the bow and fill the knots with glue and back it with sinew and let them be in the fades? Or is the stave junk? Thanks


 

 

[macbow]

I think I'd be more comfortable with the knots in the handle. Filling with super glue then reinforcing the back of the handle even more either with sinew or more wood.
As for the sinew. From what I've read putting since on a longer bow even 62 inches is a,waste,of,sinew.  Sinew adds weight and is better used on much shorter bows.

[mwosborn]

I agree with macbow - I would go with a 62" bow and put them in the handle.

[Pat B]

If you have a clean back ring there is no reason to back a hickory bow. It can take a little grain violation and still be sound but the cleaner the back is the better. I have a sinew backed hickory bow and it is adversely affected by humidity so much it can change draw weight by almost 20# as the R/H changes. Both hickory and sinew/hide glue are very hygroscopic and together they can turn to mush in high R/H. My sinew backed hickory bow is sealed with Massey finish, 4 coats of Tru-Oil and spray of satin poly to cut the shine of the Tru-oil.
 Also, to get the best out of the sinew your bow should be pretty short compared to your draw length. Twice your draw length or less.
  Depending on the direction the knots travel you might be able to get the handle between the knots and not have to worry about them.

[Rock Crusher]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try to put them in the handle.

[LittleBen]

After looking at the pics a few times and reading all the poosts, I agree you shoujld put them in the handle. Skip the sinew on hickory, it's very strong as is.

I think when you narrow the handle section, you may cut away most if not all of those knots anyway. A handle that is 3/4-7/8" wide is fine as long as its fairly deep, say 1.5" or so.

[Rock Crusher]

One more question I did some more careful measuring and I can only get a 60" bow with the knots in the middle of the handle. My draw length is 29" could I still get by without sinew? Thanks for all your help.

[fujimo]

you could put the knots in the handle, and use some glue on "flipped tips" like 4est did in his red oak buildalong- that would add some length, give you some flipped tips, and could be glued on and blended in with the sinew overlay that it would not be noticed.- especially if you used some of the offcut pieces after you move the knots to the handle.
i have used his idea a few times now, and even glued them on out of a contrasting wood-kinda like mini "siyahs".
its a neat idea and it has its place- just a thought anyway
wayne