"First" Stave use suggestions

[coaster500]

I have been lurking and admiring the work you folk put out for a while. I've build a couple of boards and want to take a crack at a stave.

I have this Mulberry stave and am hoping not to reduce it to kindling. I'd like to see what direction some of you folks would take. I draw 27"s and shoot in the 45 to 50# range. I realize the stave is a bit short for my draw so this may end up a bow for my wife’s shorter draw and less weight, that is if it doesn’t end up in the fireplace. The stave has a slight twist but is pretty straight.

Should all the light wood be removed or?

What design? backed?

Thank you

Here is some info about the stave...

 
 
 

[coaster500]

 

[coaster500]

 

[Art B]

When was your stave cut?

Has it been stored inside?

[Dan Landis]

Is your stave dry or still green?  If still green you need to either remove the light sap wood or at least seal the back very soon or it will start to develop cracks along the back.  If it were mine I would remove all the sap wood to the first heartwood ring and build a bend through the handle bow when it is dry.  Leave the handle area a little heavy, with little to no bending until you get the limbs tillered almost to your desired draw length, then work the handle area so that it bends just a little.  It looks like your limbs will be  around 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" wide at the fades.  I would leave them as wide as you can out to at least mid limb, then taper to 1/2" tips  I am far from an expert at this though, I'm sure others will be along with their advice as well.  Just take it slow and post lots of pics of your progress, and you'll get lots of help......Good luck....Dan

[coaster500]

Art, yes inside and it's about 5 to 6 months old.

Dan, he back and ends are sealed.

It is sawn on one side but the split side is almost as straight.

[Art B]

Just me, but I would rough that stave out and leave for next year to finish. You're going to have short working limbs, which will be under added strain from your bow being that short, and fresh wood is more apt to fret/and or take more set than well seasoned wood.

Couple things you might consider. A bulbous handle allows for more working limb/bow. A pryamid limb design allows for a circular design which, IMO, aids in longer draws through shorter bows. Stiff outer limbs or flipped or recurved tip for better string angle. Sinew backing to help hold the bow's profile to maintain efficiency. Or rawhide backing for insurance.

[KellyG]

that is s nice piece of wood, I bet it would make a great flat bow like they are suggesting with flip tips. You are going to loose some width as you take that sap wood off. Good luck

[frank bullitt]

Kip, with my little experience with mulberry, I would leave first ring of sapwood!

Mulberry seems to be of large ring. Fast growing?

The sapwood I had to drawknife was the toughest, ever! Period!

Now from my experience, you could dive right in with this pristine stave. Or you could forego, and find another piece of wood, species, like osage. and have at it!
 
Then after a few bows, pick up this stave with a different look and feel, and build something special!

It is a nice looking, clean stave!

Hindsight is...... ya know!    

Just look at that last pic,  looks alot like Yew!

[coaster500]

Well I chased a ring for the first time, I chased those little suckers around the world and back. Never used a draw knife and cut the heck out of myself. Is Mulberry good in a smoker? I got a pile of it. Took me three rings so the bows going to be narrow, about an inch and a quarter? I may still have a bow but not by much. Good learning how a draw knife works. This one will definitely be the wife's if it makes a bow and bendy it is.

Going to seal it and have at this one later I think..

 

A little crooked on one end...

 

[snag]

I found working with osage that chasing a ring was really a fun process. You might true some osage for the next one. You can heat or steam treat it to take out bends or twists. It is great wood for making bows out of.

[coaster500]

I did a bit more after work today. She's bendy on the floor  Time to put a string on and try to get-er-done ...  I hope      

 
 

[coaster500]

Did a little floor excercise, then a bit on the tree and stepped back to take a look.... I'm starting to think I can make weight with the little Mulberry Bendy... I wish I'd have left a little more handle as suggested. I just need to keep it from blowing up!!!


 

[coaster500]

The stave did not take any set but I'm hanging it up for a while to let it dry just to make sure...