Crack in handle on selfbow

[flyonline]

So I'm slowly getting through an osage selfbow but have a crack I'm unsure on how to deal with.

It starts in the handle, but does go into the fade in the form of a 'splinter' at the fade end on the belly side. What can I do to stop the crack from spreading? Wick in some CA? Drill and glue and pin it to stop it lifting further? I'm not set on a top or bottom limb, but would prefer this as the bottom limb as there is a knot that would line up with the window/shelf nicely. I've outlined it in pencil so it is a little more obvious.

 

Steve

[mikkekeswick]

It is really hard to tell from the picture but I would suspect that superglue will work for it. medium to thin and try to flex the limb if possible to help it wick in.

[J.F. Miller]

that looks more like wind shake than a crack to me. use thin super glue. It might be gone by the time you are finished shaping and tillering, but it might get worse as you go. keep filling with thin super glue if it gets worse or stays the same. unless this bow is going to bend through the handle it probably won't matter anyway.

[Mad Max]

Originally posted by J.F. Miller:
that looks more like wind shake than a crack to me. use thin super glue. It might be gone by the time you are finished shaping and tillering, but it might get worse as you go. keep filling with thin super glue if it gets worse or stays the same. unless this bow is going to bend through the handle it probably won't matter anyway.

X 2

Keep going, and keep putting super glue on it.

[Pat B]

x3

[wood carver 2]

I have an osage bow with a wind shake just like that, in the same location. It has never been a problem.
Dave.

[Eric Krewson]

I agree with the superglue suggestion. This is not a problem area unless you let the handle become bendy. You could leave your fades a little stiff for insurance.

I cut the whole side of a handle off because it was splintered and glued a new piece in. This was at least ten years ago, as far as I know the bow is still shooting. This was a BBO so it had the back supported.

   

[flyonline]

Thanks all, kinda thought that would be the response but nice to know as it's my first selfbow and second over all.

Will hopefully have a finished bow at some stage to post up (might take a while though!).

Steve

[scrub-buster]

I would super glue it and continue on.  If you remove more wood in that area you can add more superglue to the crack.  That's what I do when I have those in the fades.