In a limb through & through, not Veneers, {L/B's} are ya gettin any different tones or noise when shooting {even with heavy arrows} ?? Thanks Fellas ....
:wavey:
Not a fan myself, too light in color and not enough grain (generaly speaking)
That said, it makes some great accents to touch off a darker wood..
I shoot a harrelson D bow that has osage lams and bacote riser . It is quiet,smooth and sweet! :archer:
(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz161/chuckbrake/longbow/DSC_0021.jpg)
Absolutely my favorite wood! It isn't a light colored wood after it has aged. I have a couple that are a beautiful amber/brown.
One of my favorites,even better as it ages.....
My absolute favorite bow wood! :thumbsup:
I wasn't aware of just how dark and deep osage can get. Not sure if its my favorite but a real unique looking piece of osage is hard to beat. My bow looks better and better every time i shoot it, except for the dings and scratches. :rolleyes:
Thanks much fellas, how about it's shooting characteristics compared to the Elms, Maples & Boo ... Not so much the color, but shootability, Thanks Again ...
I have a PSA X osage with copperhead skins and everywhere i go i get a lot of nice complimates about the bow.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/DSC02822.jpg) (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/DSC02669.jpg) (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/DSC02677.jpg)
Yes, I'm addicted to it.
I don't have any experience with solid-limb bows. I do have a Fox High Sierra with limb faces of osage under clear glass. At first it was yellow. Then, in a couple of years the wood aged, under the glass no less! Now the limbs have darkened a lot. I prefer woods with more grain diversity though. Many of the bowyers I've talked to, at least regarding veneers, say there isn't much performance difference between woods. Of course in solids I would imagine there would be. I would have to admit that only yew and osage remind me of original bow woods though.
i think he wants to know diferences in shooting quality----->
I'll let you know when I shoot my new JD Berry Argos longbow, the one and only Osage he has made.... I threw out my back twice in 12 days and I'm surfing TG on my iPhone in bed laying on ice packs and muscle relaxer...
Adam, I think that there is little difference between core woods if talking recurves or thinner cored hybrid (nearly recurve) longbows. Where I have seen a difference in feel is in Hill type deep cored longbows. Osage is quite a bit heavier than elm or bamboo and that is reflected in the feel of the heavier limbs going forward at release. Of course there are variables in this too. The bow must be properly tillered or any core woods will shock the daylights out of you. That being said, as I mentioned to you on another thread one of my best shooters accuracy-wise was a Kohannah longbow I stupidly let go a few years ago. While it shot well it had more shock in hand than some of my other bows and I think it had to do with the heavy limbs......Dave
I've made 2 osage bows. One self and one laminated with boo. The boo backed is noticebly faster. Both are the same draw weight.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/hillbilly061/0022.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/hillbilly061/006.jpg)
I would think that a well designed and tillered osage selfbow would shoot as good if not better than most all alternative native species wood.
Yew might possibly be an exception.
From my research (not experience) Osage and Yew have been considered the premier wood choice for selfbows over an extended period of time.
Hickory and Lemonwood running 3rd and 4th.
Figure there must be a good reason for this.
Thanks for all of the responses, some GOOD lookin bows here, and Dave I think you nailed it, the reason I ask is, I have a MOHAWK L/B that is about 65/35 Osage/Boo in the limbs, 65 on the Boo, absolute shooter, was wondering if All Osage limbs would be beneficial on my next one or not, if I need a "Next" one ... Smile goes here ... Thanks Fellas ...
My favorite too.Smooth,strong,fast and beautifulland unique.It speeks voluemes that it almost never needs to be backed in a self bow as well.My opinion,thats all,Chanumpa
Osage is my all time favorite for bows & knife handles. This year's Bear Quest Osage selfbows and Bengj's Tonkin arrows...Doc
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Quebec%20Quest%202010/BearQuestIV011.jpg)
Love it!!!!!! love the color as it turns deeper
Adam, make a few Osage bows and do some comparison to other bow woods. I have made over 700 bows and Osage is by far my favorite. We have a lot of Yew locally but the durability of Osage is my choice over Yew. I use Osage, Yew, and Vine Maple as my three favorite woods. But I make bows in the 60-75# range so I need woods that will be efficient at those draw weights.
Love it! Don't own all these anymore but have owned them at one time or another... Wish I still had most of them!
Tribute to "OSAGE"
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/jwcentaurhandle.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/pl1-1.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/bow003.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/CentaurBow1-1.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/centaur1rstkill.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/ACSLongbow2.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/BlackWidowPSAX008.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/pga3.jpg)
couple more:
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/SteveHillsBow003.jpg)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/longbowsteve/MyStick.jpg)
Adam , i do feel a tad more of a "thump" when shhoting my osage lam bows ... and this is compared to other bows of exactly the same length, weight etc.
Having said that , i if i didn't swap between the osage and the yew , elm and boo bows i probably wouldn't notice it.
cheers
Ben
I like it in a selfbow, but I think you are referring to a laminated bow? If so, my limited experience tells me to stay away from it.
'Course it will depend on the bow design, but two of the main things that affect performance are limb weight and recovery. Osage isn't tops with either one, but if the design relies primarily on the glass to do the work (like most recurves) you probably won't see much difference.
In a narrow limbed, deep-cored longbow, it will make a difference. I've only had once chance to shoot two longbows side-by-side that were the same model from the same bowyer, one with yew limbs and the other with osage limbs. In that particular comparison, the yew drew noticeably smoother, was noticeably faster, and had WAY less hand shock.
Talk to the bowyer--he should be able to tell you what will work best in his design. If possible, shoot a couple side-by-side and see what you think. Personally, in a laminated longbow yew is my first choice. Until I find something that works as well or better (haven't yet), it will be my only choice.
Chad
LBR, with mutual respect, I disagree.
You are a long time member and have much more experience under your belt than I have.
If you could send me a pc. of yew to compare with my osage? Maybe
I really like the looks of osage. Would love to make an osage self bow and hunt with it this year but with limited resources and lack of a teacher close by that won't happen.
Osage has its own distinct natural beauty.
Bowferd, I don't make bows (only made one selfbow in my life so far), I just shoot them. My experience with the two, head-to-head, was in one specific type of laminated longbow (Chek-Mate Crusader). Based on that, I'd never order a Crusader with osage limbs (veneer would be ok).
I agree with Jacob.....I'm really starting to like it as an accent wood. It makes these limbs POP!! in combo with Coco......It does darken with age....This is a BlackCreek T/D..
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/BlackCreek004.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/BlackCreek005.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/BlackCreek007.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/BlackCreek012.jpg)
I love it my GN Super Ghost has it and it gets nicer with age.
Guess I'm an oddball, but I like osage best when it's fresh and bright yellow! I don't care as much for it after it turns brown. Problem is, it won't stay the way I like it so I don't get it much any more.
The darkening factor is one of the reasons it is my favorite wood. If this thread is around comd mid July, I'll show you another reason! :D
I have a Black Widow PGA Golden anniversary bow that is made of Osage, and the wood gets a darker honey color as time goes by. I like the wood.
I think you will like the shootability of a lighter core. Not much speed diff,but less shocky. JMO
I'd go with amber a-boo or red elm for core,will look very similar color after aging...
Unless you want contrast on limb edges of course.
I have a 62" Kohannah long bow completely made of Osage. No other wood in her. People who have shot it have said it's quiet with little vibration if at all. It's 50# at 27" and came with Dyna 97. I draw to 28" and use 8125 in a 12 strand. My crono readings are 176 fps.
I'm probably in the minority...I like it when it is new and yellow. I don't care for the generic brown it turns as it ages. Especially so when using it as an accent color with darker woods...as the Osage ages you lose the contrast that was originally there.
You mean they actually build bows out of anything, but Osage, unheard of! :scared:
I love my self bows, all out of osage. I shoot heavy, heavy set-up. No hand shock, vibration, or any other nusiances. :thumbsup:
JAG/Johnny
I'm kinda found of it as well :bigsmyl:
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/P1010083.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/P1010081.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0070.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0179.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0399.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0181.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0062.jpg)
Here are a few more:
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0327.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0413.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0584.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0582.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0712.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0719.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/IMG_0738.jpg)
As far as noise caused using Osage in the limbs never noticed it being any different from other materials. It may be a little slower since it is a dense wood but nothing significant.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/P1000637.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b175/CLSurt/P1000840.jpg)
The bow in my avatar has Osage Cores/Veneers. It shoots great, not quite as fast as Boo but to me its a bit quiter.
St Joe River bow. 64", 50# @ 29". Osage and Purple Heart w/matching knife.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/101_0170.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/101_0174.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/101_0172.jpg)
I like it too. Here is a slightly aged (~5 years) Check Mate Thunderbird. Photo shows it a little darker than true due to shadows. The cocobola riser has darkened through the years as well.
(http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/wolfram1/Osage-T.jpg)
captainkirk
i love it it is such a warm wood makes ya feel good . :thumbsup:
I'm with Red Boar, I don't care for the generic look after it ages. I like it fresh and yeller :thumbsup: .
My Roy Hall "diamond" has osage limbs with birds eye maple riser. I love the way it shoots. very quiet and no stacking. It looks good too.
Do you think Mr. Surtees likes Osage ?
Nice bows Chris !!
:bigsmyl:
I have a Bama bows longbow made with osage I had the bow stained when it was made and the bow has black matte back and belly so the osage really doesn't show. I like the way aged osage looks but this bow is for hunting and I just wanted plain and simple finish. The bow performs great.
Can't wait to get my hands on an Osage Widow PLX, as my signature says.....love that stuff.
I hate osage, I think in a selfbow it is the prettiest and nicest of all, always wanted one and I have had no luck with the staves that I tried, knots beyond what I could handle, one with a 90 degree twist that was stronger than I was, but I wish I had one. I do not like them in a long bow with glass backing, there are better choices for that from what I have tried.