short osage!

[TroutGuide]

Well I am Mr Short Stave and no she didn't say that.  My last atempt was a 58 inch hickory that blew at 27 inches now I cut the best osage tree I could find and what do you know it has a bad knot about a foot down on the trunk that skrewed up all my split staves.  So now I am left with 60" staves if I am lucky. So whats a guy to do. I will wait for sugestions before I share some of my possible plans.  I want 45-55@28 if possible.  I have 4 splits and not one of them is great but they have nice deep rings.

[Ryan Yoon]

45-55@28 is very possible. If you go with a 6-8" handle I'd go 1 3/8" wide from fade to mid limb and taper to 3/8" nocks for a flatbow. Maybe as wide as 1.5". For a D-bow I'd go 1 1/4" for the middle third and then taper to 3/8" nocks. I have a 60" osage D-bow that's 1" from midlimb to mid limb and tapers to 3/8" nocks and its easily 65#@28" and could probably be drawn to 30".

[TroutGuide]

Very encouraging. One stave is very narow only about 1.25" so that sounds good.  On that D-bow is it ridgid handle or bendy and are you saying one inch from midlimb across handle to other midlimb?

[John Scifres]

All my bows are less than 1-1/4" wide and generally 60-62".  You should be fine.  Since you are new I recommend a bendy handle.  Make the staves as long as possible even if they have to bend around knots.

[TroutGuide]

More good news.  Thanks guys.  One is going to be realy snakey with a hole through it about 4 inches from the tip.  The rest still have the bark on but thet look better still some knots but I think I can make them work 1.25" wide.  One might make two if I am brave enough to try and split it again.  These are green staves how far can I work them before leting them dry/season?  I know no bending.

[John Scifres]

I have no problem getting them to a ring, cut to bow dimensions and then getting them 5/8" thick all across the limb, no thick spots.  Take your time and make sure you don't make it too thin either.  Leave the handle and tips full width until it is dry.  Coat the whole thing with shellac.  Let it dry for a month like that in coolish conditions.  Then get it a little warmer (like inside a heated home over a forced air register for a month.  Watch it closely every day for signs of checking.

[SourOwl]

I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK JOINING TWO BILLITS TOGETHER FROM QUESTIONABLE-LENGTH WOOD USING EITHER A "Z" OR "W" SPLICE.

I'VE USED ALMOST ALL OF MY WOOD THIS WAY CUTTING DOWN ON WASTAGE.

[Boswell]

Yes it is, I am becoming a short stave man myself. I did a 7/8in wide, 54in NTN, 49lb at 27 inch bow that has a 2 in semi bendy through the handle bow. Right now I have a 7/8 in 58in NTN bend through the handle, looking to get 55-60 at 27. so YES you can do it and you have more wood than you need in my opnion.

Boswell