chasing a ring questions

[Yourpaldan]

So I'm trying to figure out how this, chasing a ring, thing works. So what we're looking for is a single unblemished plain of Summerwood. I'm wherever moving all of the Springwood that's sitting on top of it. But it seems to me that the best way to ensure unbroken Summerwood is to leave a little bit Springwood over the surface. What I mean is that if I've scraped down 2 Summerwood then there's a likelihood that I've actually removed some of that layer, cuz there's no way to scrape off exactly that last bit of Springwood, without touching the Summerwood. So shouldn't we be finishing the bow with a growth ring of Springwood on top?

My other question is about hard maple or white maple. It looks like with this variety the white rings are the late growth, and the dark thin rings are the early growth?

[Yourpaldan]

I want to get some of the cheapest arrows I can get for practice... while I take my time learning how to make a good Arrow. Can anyone direct me to good deal? Or at least where to start. It's for a 29 in draw, selfbow with no Arrow Shelf

[Pat B]

Most of the whitewoods like maple and hickory you just peel the bark off to expose a pristine back. Trying to chase a ring on them can be troublesome.  Other woods like osage, mulberry and locust that you normally remove the bark and sapwood you have to achieve a clean heartwood ring for the back. Some folks will leave the early wood over the back ring temporarily to protect the back while you make the bow but it should be removed to get a good finish. It can easily be scraped off without adversely affecting the back ring. As long as you don't go through the back ring you will be OK.
 

[Bowjunkie]

I usually do what Pat said.

When I'm done, the back is all clean latewood.

Experience, tool familiarity and proficiency will allow you to reveal the summer wood without compromising it.

I've done it with osage with 36 rings per inch, and chased a single ring in yew with 60+ rings per inch. It's one ring but is it 100% unviolated? I don't know. But it's fine. Just take your time. The yew took me two weeks to thin the sapwood by 1/8 and chase that single ring.

[George Tsoukalas]

I agree with Pat. Here is how I chase a ring on osage and black locust.

http://traditionalarchery101.com/osage.html

Jawge