IMHO - The thinner the rings the more latewood a given peice will have. Latewood being soft allows the bow to take on more set or string follow. 8 to 10 rings per inch is probably a good peice of osage and is what I look for. But, I would rather have a stave with thicker rather than thinner rings. A thin ringed bow will be pleny durable if void of flaws like knots or checks in the back. Snappy, is usually more in the design of the bow, but who knows. selfbows are like finger prints,,, no two just alike!