HELP WITH OSAGE STAVE11

[Woodsrunner64]

I have a friend with a Osage stave that has paper thin rings that dip and dive all over. Has cut thru a number of times and has lost his mind in the mean time. Because the stave is so twisted and thin ringed,can you smooth out the back of the stave and glue on a 1/8" bias ring Hickory backing?  We were not sure if it will work or not. We would be violating the growth rings by planing the back smooth. The stave is to big in diameter to decrown. Will the Hickory hold this bow together? He is looking for about a 40 lbs bow.   :confused:

[Eric Krewson]

You could use a strip of hickory or bamboo, both would work just fine. You could also back the bow with rawhide to protect the back from violated rings and not have to flatten the back.

[David Flanrey]

I agree with Eric.  I would use rawhide or you could use deer sinew.

[Osagetree]

X3 for rawhide

[John Scifres]

Twisted wood will often react as you flatten so you might end up with more twist than you have now.  I think I would go the rawhide route as well.  Chase a ring as best you can and then rawhide it.  Thin rings build character     Overbuild the bow.  In other words, make it longer than you would normally for his draw length.  That keeps stresses down and reduces the opportunity for splinters to pop.  Good luck.

[Woodsrunner64]

Thanks for the input on this matter. It's     great that we have a community of people that are willing to share there knowledge  with others.