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Author Topic: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines  (Read 2366 times)

Online Honest Jon

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Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« on: March 22, 2022, 08:44:52 AM »
After three afternoons of trying to chase paper thin grain lines on an otherwise nice piece of Osage, I’ve thrown in the towel!  The search function of Tradgang has come to my rescue….I hope.  Good advice on here suggested backing with rawhide in such a case. So, I’m half way through doing just that and I think it’s going to work fine.  I’ve backed a few bows with rawhide so happened to have some on hand. Anyone have other advice or suggestions?
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2022, 08:49:46 AM »
Having a little trouble posting pix. I’ll try again.

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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2022, 09:15:27 AM »
Some of my best selfbows were made with very thin ringed osage. It is difficult to obtain a good back ring so rawhide(or other) backing is almost a necessity. Be sure any violations have been feathered so there are no abrupt edges to them and once the rawhide is applied be sure the back edges of the bow are rounded to help prevent edge splinters from raising.
 Looking forward to seeing your progress and the finished bow.   :thumbsup:
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Online Mad Max

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2022, 09:30:49 AM »
Pat would linen work too?
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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2022, 09:46:36 AM »
Yes, linen or silk would work too. These soft backings won't keep a bow from breaking but they will help to prevent it and help to hold down splinters.
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2022, 09:48:01 AM »
Here’s a shot of one limb with the rawhide rough trimmed and drying, after about 12 hours. The other limb is freshly applied with rawhide.  The challenge was to get the rawhide to lay flat in the inside “recurve” that I already put in this selfbow. Thus the towels and clamps at the far end. I know some will wrap the limbs with tee shirts or something but I’ve seen problems with that when the wrap goes funky and the mess isn’t discovered until all is dry.  Instead, I tend the rawhide like a mother hen for a few hours until the glue sets and all is laying flat.  Not sure there is a right or wrong way but this has worked for me. I have to set this aside for a few weeks but will report further.
Honest Jon

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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2022, 09:50:23 AM »
Are those faux copperhead snakeskins from 3Rivers and others made from linen? They look really cool on the back of Osage.
Jon
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2022, 10:07:39 AM »
Incidentally, the piece of Osage is about 40 rings per inch :knothead:.
Jon
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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2022, 10:50:45 AM »
I've found that these thin ring osage bows shoot harder and quicker than osage with thicker rings.
 Did you wet the rawhide first before applying it? It looks like you put it down dry. By wetting it it follows the contours of the stave.
 When I apply soft backings I do wrap the limbs with strips of old bed sheets. After about an hour I remove the wrap so I can inspect the backing to be sure there are no air bubbles or excess glue pocket or that the backing is still aligned with the bow while the glue has not yet fully dried.
 I have used TBIII in the past with good results but now I use hide glue for rawhide.
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2022, 11:28:56 AM »
Good stuff Pat. Yes, soaked the rawhide. What you see in the photo is about 12-14 hours after application so has dried considerably.
Based on your comments about thin-ringed Osage, this could turn out to be a good bow and worth the effort and headache. Glad to hear.
Jon
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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2022, 11:56:23 AM »
One of my best osage selfbows was very thin ringed, I rawhide backed it and had over 1000 shots through her before me and Evan Williams got together one night and I over drew it.  :saywhat:   Needles to say she is now a takedown bow that is in many pieces. Definitely not the fault of the thin ringed osage.  :nono:
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2022, 08:42:55 AM »
Howdy Pat and others!
You were right about these thin-ringed Osage bows. Finished her up this morning and took maybe 20 shots.  A super smooth and silent draw and release. And just a nice feel. This isn’t a high power hunting bow but just what I need to keep in shooting shape without wrecking my shoulder. I have a couple thoughts as to why I think it shoots so nice and snappy for a light bow. The rawhide backing may help deaden hand shock along with the high early to late wood ratio in this super high count ring bow. I did note that based on limb thickness, I would have expected a heavier draw result. Perhaps all the early wood offers lower stiffness than one with lots of late wood? Not sure.  In any case, thanks for your comments and encouragement. It’s a nice bow that I feared would be a dud. So far, so good!

Honest Jon
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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2022, 08:46:31 AM »
Very nice bow, Jon with very clean lines.  :thumbsup:    Would you post an unbraced and full draw pic for us?
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2022, 09:08:54 AM »
My pleasure. Unbraced. Full draw soon.
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Online Honest Jon

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2022, 09:32:34 AM »
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Online Pat B

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #15 on: March 26, 2022, 11:37:54 AM »
Excellent!!!  Very nice bow, Jon.   :thumbsup:
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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #16 on: March 26, 2022, 11:46:42 AM »
Quote from: Pat B on March 26, 2022, 11:37:54 AM
Excellent!!!  Very nice bow, Jon.   :thumbsup:

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Online onetone

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2022, 04:35:10 PM »
Very clean work and nice bow  :thumbsup:
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Offline Buemaker

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #18 on: March 26, 2022, 05:30:29 PM »
Looking great. Some fine sanding have been going on.
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Offline ozarkcherrybow1

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Re: Paper Thin Osage Grain Lines
« Reply #19 on: April 16, 2022, 02:48:38 PM »
Great job on that bow! Excellent tiller.
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