64" osage

[TroutGuide]

I have a osage stave that I have down to the ring I want and I need to lay it out.  It is 64" long and a little over an inch wide at its narowest, almost square in profile.  I would like to get 55# at 28" if possible.  The stave has a small knot 3 inches from the butt end and a slight dogleg/snake 6 inches down from the tip.

My question is whether to leave it full length and deal with the problem areas if I need to pike it or cut one end and remove the problem now and hope for the best on weight.  In reality I would like a 58 inch bow but I dont know if that is the best thing to do for this size blank and trying to get 55#.  Any advice is welcome.  FYI this is my second osage self bow and the other one is only slightly further along.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Pics of the knot would help. Depending on your widest point, you may need every inch of that 64".

[Osagetree]

I'd eliminate the knot at 61" and make it 60" ntn. Leave the dog leg as the last 6" shouldn't be bending much at all. Just need to line up the tips.
How thick is it back to belly?

[TroutGuide]

The knot is just a basic pin knot dead center in the blank.  I am not woried about it unless I decided to shorten the limbs at a later date or I might just cut it out now and make a shorter bow if I can get away with it.  I have no camera today or I would post pics.  

The whole stave is just a little over an inch wide and about an inch deep nearly square.  Butt end is slightly larger but close.

I am leaning toward makeing a 58-60 inch bow.  If I can't get 55 I would settle for 45 if it will work better at that length.

[Dan Landis]

Trout, 1" is wide enough if you make it bend through the handle.  I have one that I made a few years ago that is 1" through the handle and out to about mid limb, then tapers to 1/2" tips, and is 3/4" thick through the handle and out to mid limb.
It came in at 55# @ 27" and is 54" ntn.  Has about 2-1/2" of set though.  The wood was a belly split from another stave and while I was waiting for the full size stave to dry, I made this one.  Wood was probably too wet and my tillering left a lot to be desired at that time....Dan

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Brian,
 
 Your draw length will determine just how short you can go with it. I draw 28" and would have no issues trying for a 60" bow that bends right up to the grip or a 58" bow that bent slightly in the handle.

 It will take some set at that draw length but will still shoot nice. I have a bad habit of pushing on bows that I build though and end up with more of them in the corner lately than I should so you can take my advice with a grain of salt.

 You would probably be best taking Joe's (Osagetree) advice. A 61" inch bow will make a fine hunting bow for sure.

[TroutGuide]

Well I think I made a decision.  60"ntn 50@28" short grip and fades, non-bending handle.   I will just shape it to what it tillers out to full width then tapering to 1/2 at the tips.  I will be doing a little heat gun work untwisting, staightening, and reflexing after floor tilller but I plan on leaving as much character as I can.  Sound good, any other suggestions?  I realy want to hunt with this bow this fall and it is my last good blank that is not sister billets.  I don't have the equipment for finger joints/z splices yet so it has to work, or I guess a fiberglass sleave is in my future.