osage stave

[prc]

i have made a few board bows and each one has been better than the last. a friend gave me a seasoned osage stave and im not sure if theres enough for a bow, any help will be great as i have not tried this before. thanks                                                                                      http://s1095.photobucket.com/albums/i479/prc61/?albumview=slideshow    :confused:

[prc]

i didnt mention that this stave has been seasoned for over 10 years. the ends were sealed. i cut one end off to enable me to see end grain. this piece is 68 inches long and the pics. are from the small end. it gets larger at the other. thanks

[John Scifres]

Looks good to me.  I might rawhide or sinew back it since the rings are tight and the early:late wood ratio is about 50:50.  Sinew likes a shorter bow but you can make whatever you want if you rawhide it.

[ranger 3]

I'm with John on this one and there is a raw hide give away on here right now. Good luck

[prc]

thanks i should have also added the stave has a natural reflex to it. i was also thinking some kind of backing. im a little slow at this but ill try to add pics as i go.

[KellyG]

prc,
I will be watching I am is the same boat not ever working with Osage. Drop over on my tread I have gotton some good info already may answer a questoin you have there.
Kelly

[Brent Hill]

Sinew or rawhide is alot of work.   However, with tight rings and possible violations (mistakes on my part) of the rings, it it is alot easier to make a working bow with osage with such a backing versus going unbacked.  I'm new at this as well and just finished a sinew backed osage bow.  The sinew saved me.