58" Osage stave

[ranger 3]

What can you do with a 58" stave besides make a kids bow?

[Pat B]

I build lots of 60"t/t osage bows for my 26" draw in the 50# to 60# weight range. The bow in mt avatar is a 60" osage static recurve that pulls 56#@26". If you pull 28" make it bend through or at least too the handle and you should be able to get the same weights at 28". With sinew backing you could easily make a 28" draw with a 58" stave.

[ranger 3]

Thanks Pat,I draw about 26 1/2 to 27" and I will go for around 45#

[Pat B]

Just take it slow and steady and you should be fine. Post pics when you can.

[wildcat hunter]

I built a 38" osage bow out of a junk piece, just to see what it would be like. Pulls about 50lbs at 22". Kids think its a toy until they try to pull it back. It dosen't shoot well though - too much finger pinch!

[Pat B]

It doesn't take much osage to make a good bow!!! d;^)

[kerryb]

I am just finishing up a 58" Osage 48# at 26". flipped the tips, and added copperhead skins. I have shot at least 300 arrows through it with no problems. Just do as Pat said take it slow and steady and you will have a great little bow.

[ranger 3]

Will someone please explain (slow and steady) take a little wood at a time and bend slow?

[Pat B]

Howard, patience is the #1 tool for a wood bow builder. If you add less bow length or higher and/or longer draw lengths than patience is more critical. Once you get your stave to floor tiller stage be conscious of every scrape or rasp you take off, exercise the stave well between wood removals but only is small incriments and never draw past final draw weight of length especially early on in the process.
  Also with a stave that might be on the borderline of your abilities allow the stave to tell you what it wants to be instead of trying to manipulate it into a predetermined design.