So I'm trying to layout a bow on an osage stave that has a solid knot about 6" from one tip. I can either include it dead center on the limb, or shift the bow to avoid it. However, if i avoid the knot, the grain surrounding the knot will likely want to dip into the edge of the limb and I won't have room to compensate on the opposite side of the limb.
Which is my better choice?
I'd put it dead center. The last 9 inches of the limb won't be bending hardly at all anyways.
With osage you could have a solid knot anywhere and be okay most of the time. In the limb tip is no biggy at all as Roybert said. Center it. Fill the belly side with super glue when you get it tillered out. Then sand smooth and seal.