So I roughed out and floor-tillered some black locust back in January. But I'm still a bit unsure of myself with it. Is it fully dry yet? Will I be able to keep from fretting the belly?
Decided to go with one of my hickory staves that I've had up in the barn rafters for a couple of years now. Much more in my comfort zone.
First: I've decided I'm never leaving the bark on anything that I don't have to. The hickory I peeled green was just that -- peeling. This thing took me forever.
It's also not as pretty as Kelly's stave, I've got a little more character in at least one of the limbs. Anyhow, I got it roughed and floor tillered this weekend. Tonight I hope to apply a little heat and work out some of the twist and a bit of crook. I do like working with hickory. Maybe because it's plentiful enough that I don't feel pressure?
Anyhow, I want to get this done without any more procrastination. I leave for vacation on July 3rd, and want enough time to make a plan B bow in case something goes bad at the last minute with this one.