Advice from the knowledgeable...

[okcaveman]

I am working on what I hope will be my first successfull Bois de' Arc bow. I have been practicing on each growth ring on the way down to the one I have picked but am having trouble around the knots and around a crack. I have been using my drawknife. What is the safest method to work down the final ring?

Also, anybody have any tips on how to sharpen a cabinet scraper? I can't seem to get a burr raised.

And finally, Is it best to take knots down to the same growth ring, or to leave a small "patch" of the above ring on knots?

Thanks in advance folks. Now that I am actually working on this piece of wood I am getting really excited to see how it may turn out.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

There was a post here recently on the cabinet scraper (20 second burr) or something like that. I put mine in a vice and file the edge good and square and knock of the burrs it makes and then burnish with a good burnishing tool. You can also use a good carbide drill bit (chuck end) make sure it don't have any gouges in it.

 On the knots some say to leave an island but there has been some discussion here about the possibility of the extra wood raising a splinter on the ring that is your back. I take them down to the back ring. If it is punky or has a small crack where the limb was you can saturate it with CA glue (super glue).

 When scraping your knot work from the center out on the knot.

 Lots of good info right here on the bench from some of the best bowyers in the world.

 Stiks

[John Scifres]

Safest method is to get a scraper and work the knots.  You can also use a wood chisel.

I use a grinder set on low speed and 90 degrees and use oil to sharpen my scraper.

Take your knot down to one growth ring or they can pop.  The bandaid of leaving rings on top offers no strength really.  I have had them pop and drag a splinter into the limb.

[okcaveman]

Thanks yall. I will give the "20 second sharpening" a try tomorrow. Also thanks for the advice to take it on down to the same ring.

[scrub-buster]

Find an old pair of scissors with a good point on the end.  Take them apart at the hinge and you have 2 knot pickers.  They work great for doing the fine detail work around knots.

[Eric Krewson]

I had a how to tutorial here a long time ago about making a scraper to work around pin knots out of a concrete nail. Can't find it now.

I have made a bunch of these for bow making and for various functions on inletting for flintlock parts.

Here is what the finished scraper looks like, very sharp and great to get into tight spots around knots.
 

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I remember that buildalong Eric. I been pondering what to do about making something of the sort for scraping knots that go into the limb in a depression.

[okcaveman]

Thanks yall. I will try the scissors and see how they do. My stave only has 4 knots, and 1 3 inch crack that has the characteristics of a knot, so the stave isn't to bad, but still challenging for a newbie

[scrub-buster]

I like that little scraper Eric.  I need to make one.  I think you were the one that told me about the scissors.

[George Tsoukalas]

I always need a tool with a rounded edge to scrape away some of those irregular rings. The rings did and wind on some staves it is possible to get one ring say in the middle of the stave and violate the ends. Anyway, check this. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/archer.html

[George Tsoukalas]

Check the osage buildalongs and bow layout. Jawge