May First Osage Selfbow

[Don Drake]

I just finished my first Osage Orange selfbow.  I got two staves off of (a popular auction site) for about $25 each including shipping.  I used the worst stave first so I could learn on it without being afraid of messing up too badly.  (I still need to put a finish on it and I believe I have found a source for some bear grease.)

I have shot about 250 arrows with it (carbonite, I haven't tried making my own arrows yet) and it does have some string follow.  Could be because the wood was still too green or maybe because I have been holding my draw too long before releasing.  Its weighs 50# at a 26" draw, which is right at my limit.  

Should I worry about the string follow or just let it go?

Is the string follow likely to increase?

Could I heat the bow limbs near the handle and then bend it back straight or should I just leave it alone?
 
   

   

   

   

[ranger 3]

You need to re size your pics. so you can see them, they are way to big

[George Tsoukalas]

You really can't, for the most part, decrease set. Congratulations on your bow. Jawge

[Chris Grimbowyer]

That is very nice for your first osage bow

[DVSHUNTER]

I wish I could see the pic, but congratulations on your first osage bow. The set is there. You can heat it up, but it will just come back as soon as you pull it.