Has anyone had experience making a selfbow of edge-grained osage, or a BBO using edge-grained osage? I want to try, and would appreciate any input about your experiences.
Some of the osage that I have is so thin ringed that I thought that using the edge grain would be much easier, and I was told once upon a time that it would work.
Thanks
Bill Strickland
I back thing ringed osage with bamboo but decrown it on my belt sander first. I have made several edge grain BBOs but prefer making them decrowned because I seldom have a knot free piece. Knots in edge grain stuff can be a problem.
I've made a few hunderd edge grain BBOs and blanks. They are great! But you have to have clear wood to make it happen.
Mike
Hi Bill,
I'm convinced edge grained osage makes the best BBOs. By orienting the grain this way you minimize the use of the soft, punky earlywood in compression and utilize the latewood efficiently/evenly. But, as Mike and Eric mentioned, you need clear wood to do this. If you have pin knots they will likely run acros the limb, collapsing faster than the surrounding wood. If they are on the surface of the belly, they can ruin a bow if you're not careful.
I've never made an edge grained osage selfbow before, but would recommend backing it with rawhide or something to prevent splinters. With that said, edge grain hickory makes swell board bows.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
MG
Thanks guys for the tips and insight. I'm pretty slow at making a bow, but whenever I get one "cobbled" together I'll let you know the outcome.
Bill
I'm a selfbow builder for 20 years and was taught but never built done.You have to back your bow with something.I've always started with a good stave.Why put all your work into a stave with a defect.
Edge grain = Face grain ?