Definitely self bow, doesn't matter how straight or crooked, you can work out the details later on. Even the ugliest Osage stave will make a bow and with that......I don't cull but very few.
The checks in the ends aren't a concern right now, you can cut that off with a chainsaw later. Get it home and split it into at least quarters then seal the ends with some shellac, varnish, polyurethane, or any other sealer but I wouldn't waste wood glue on it. I've never used wood glue for sealing the ends, but have read about guys that said it wasn't good as a sealer on staves.
See if you can borrow a splitting maul and a sledge hammer from a neighbor, coworker, friend, ect. You'll only need it for an hour or two. A small hatchet works good for getting the split started, then put the point of the wedge or splitting maul in the crack on the top side of the log with it laying down. Work your way down the log until it splits in two, sometimes you gotta roll it over and do the other side to get it into 2 clean halves. Then do the same thing with the halves and split those in half. Seal the ends and store them in your garage. You will thank yourself for it later.
Good luck.
Topic: Found a perfect Osage log while walking today....selfbow or no? (Read 561 times)
