Black Locust log?

[Ringbill]

I haven't been on here for awhile. Took a break from bow building for few years. A friend of mine recently cut down a black locust and gave me the trunck. it is about 9' long and averages about 16" in dia. I ripped it in in half so I could get it home. It has been sealed on the ends. I have only done tri lams up to this point and was thinking about doing a self bow. I have gqathered that I want the heatwood, but I have never used locust.

My queastion is this. One side of the log clearly grew faster than the other. With the growth rings not as tight. I would assume that the tighter rings would be better. I will be milling the one half for him and keeping one for me. Which one should I keep?

Next question. If I want to mill some for lams should they be quatersawn or plainsawn?

[Pat B]

How thick are the thicker rings? I would use the thicker rings for a selfbow. While the log is in half let it sit for about a month then split it down to staves, about 4" across the bark side. You can remove the bark and sapwood then also but be sure to seal the backs well. By next summer you should be able to build a bow with one. You can also reduce a stave to floor tiller stage and it will dry faster.

[Ringbill]

The thicker rings average about .270" and the thinner ones around .200

[Pat B]

The thicker rings would be better for selfbows so it's easier to chase a back ring. A good clean back ring without violations is your best bet for a successful selfbow. For locust I would go 66" to 68" and 1 3/4" to 2" wide at the fades. You could do a pyramid style or go out 6" to 8" from the fades before tapering to the tips.

[Ringbill]

Thank you Pat!

[Honest Jon]

A little off subject but last May we had a terrific wind storm through southern WI and laid down a grove of black locust near me. I always wanted to build a bow with locust so salvaged a small log. It was far from ideal and somewhat twisted but the price was right (free) so I gave it a go. The growth rings varied so much and were twisted, so before I even tillered the bow I backed it with rawhide. I quartered the log and roughed out a bow right away. Toward the end of summer the stave developed a slight back set as it dried. Oh perfect…a little on both limbs!

Roughed it down further and by November felt it was dry enough to go to work. That’s when I put the raw hide on. Long story short, I just finished her up and she’s a sweet shooter with some interesting grain. I would agree that wider rings would make the chasing go easier. My chasing was not 100% successful, thus the rawhide. Just enough back set remained and I think

I have a unique selfbow. Light at 35# but perfect for staying in shape (my shape) during the winter.

[Honest Jon]

I have no idea why the second photo was magnified 100x. It simply showed the final back set.
Jon